#vanthiyadevan

[relativelydimensional]

Hi recently I've been really into making gay ponniyin selvan shuffles

[neengareadynaaready]

Jayam Ravi as Arulmozhi / Ponniyin Selvan Karthi as Vanthiyadevan in Ponniyin Selvan I (2022)

[willkatfanfromasia]

An interesting scene from ps2 and some casual history reading made me notice this

+ bonus tidbit!

The major conflict in ponniyin selvan is the succession crisis- 2 heirs with equally strong claims.

However, it isn't an isolated incident. The madhuranthakan-adithya karikalan-arulmozhivarman musical chairs with the Chola throne is a direct- if delayed- fallout from a previous, more shocking crisis.

In this scene, Vanthiyadevan and Alwarkaddiyan Nambi are pursuing Pandyan Assassins through the crowd, before they attack Prince Arunmozhi.

They manage to catch hold of few, who give them tantalizing clues.

And if that's not enough - even point out the source of attack!

Pretty dumb move, right?

Leaking your plan to the enemy before it's been executed?

Some context will clear it up- he's not leaking their plan.

He's gloating.

Reminding them of their past downfall to shame them.

The eldest son of Parantaka I, crown prince Rajaditya died in 949 in circumstances equally if not more dramatic than his grandnephew aditha Karikalan.

In the Battle of Thakkolam, rajaditya was seated atop an elephant when an arrow from the Rashtrakuta forces killed him on spot. This must've certainly killed morale in the Chola camp leading to their defeat. Rajaditya's commander, a chera nobleman called Vellan kumaran survived and became an ascetic 'chaturanana pandita'.

Rashtrakutas also occupied Thanjavur for a short period due to this, leading to internal instability. Parantaka I lived a fairly long life and died 6 years after his firstborn son. He was first succeeded by Gandaraditha (2nd son) and then by Arinjaya (3rd son) - both of whom must've been in their 50/60s leading to short tenures. Son no.4 Uttamasili was beheaded by Veera Pandyan.

After son no.2 the primogeniture (succession based on birth order) doesn't matter as everyone wants a chance.

The age reversal among the sons of these 2 emperors causes more confusion- Sundara(Arinjaya's son) is older than Gandaraditha's son.

Bonus tidbit :

in this YT video, author of the controversial 'sangathara' novel, kalachakram narasimhan answers a question saying that while Nandini herself is fictional, representing the chola-pandya dynamics, the character maybe inspired by nandipurathu Valli, a noblewoman and daughter of commander vellan kumaran, who apparently was in love in Prince Rajaditya.

Curious, I read the novel, but that's for another day😌🌚

@celestesinsight @thereader-radhika @ambidextrousarcher @harinishivaa @vibishalakshman @sowlspace @whippersnappersbookworm @deadloverscity @favcolourrvibgior @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups and anyone else interested !

[sampigehoovu]

thunder caught in his rain clouds

Kundavai x Vandiyadevan

Exploring how Kundavai and Vandiyadevan cope with Aditha's death even as their relationship blossoms. Lots of grief, some kissing.

Night had fallen quickly, as it seemed to do since the death of her older brother. Days were spent in frenzied tasks, moving from one to the next. Nights, she spent awake, unable to close her eyes for even a moment thinking of everything that had led to the death of her brother; the incarceration of Vandiyadevan, the actions of her brother and Manimegalai, which now seemed heroic in the presence of her silence.

Vandiyadevan, who had been ready for his punishment, who had said he should be punished because he had failed to protect Aditha, failed to carry out her orders. He truly believed, that despite his best attempts he had failed. Her heart ached, when she remembered his bloodied face and his defeated voice. He had looked at her once during the farce of a trial, eyes filled with unshed tears, apologetic, that he had not fulfilled his promise to her. She had longed to take the dagger tucked into her hip, cut his ties, and comfort him. Hold his hands in hers, tuck his head against her neck and offer words of comfort. Tell him it was not his fault. Tell him all the things she had wanted to tell herself about this entire ordeal.

She never got the chance to, they had rushed off to fight. He had turned back, to look at her once, before he got onto to his horse. His eyes intent on her face, she had attempted a small smile, encouraging she had hoped. Not anxious, or fearful or terrified. Send off her younger brother, send off Vandiyadevan, her grandfather, her uncles, all to war again, even before the funeral pyre of her older brother had cooled?

The first time she had sent off her older brother to war, they had both been so young that there was nothing but pride in their parting. He had returned. He had gone back to war. He had returned, hurt, and wounded in more ways than one, but he had come back to them. Aditha Karikalan, the powerful Chola tiger, there was no man in all their lands who could defeat her brother. She had not known, that it would be possible to lose him to his own broken heart. Death had been distant for her, unlike Vanathi, who had known of this particular grief for as long as she had been alive. Kundavai was struck with the fear of more loss.

What would she do if any one of them had not returned from war? Where would all the words, all the love and all the worry she had for all them go? Where would she put them, just like she had struggled every morning since Aditha’s death, thinking of all the things that had been left unsaid between them.

When they came back, she decided, not if they came back, she would tell her grandfather how much she admired him and how she hoped she would grow to have the same energy as him. She would tell the Periya Velar how his daughter had grown from a timid teenager into a courageous woman, who always had the right words at the tip of her tongue. She would tell her brother, that she was proud of him, that whatever decision he took she would stand by him. That her hopes and dreams for him were great, but it did not surpass her love for him.

She would tell Vandiyadevan, that she had been enamoured by him from the first time she saw him, that he had slowly wormed his way into her heart with his wit, his stories, his loyalty, his unruly curly hair that seemed to have a mind of its own, his powerful arms that she had been awestruck by when he had thrown his spear at that stuffed crocodile. That smile of his, which always seemed to come straight from his heart, she wished she could spend hours just staring him while he laughed and spoke. How distraught she had been when she heard of Kandhamaran’s accusations against him, her heart in her mouth as she had waited for news of him from Elangai. Despite having the most unshakable confidence in him, that he would return, with her brother in tow. He was after all, Aditha’s friend. When she had seen him, blindfolded, and yelling into the void, she had not told him of all the many things she felt for him, merely alluded to his promise of being hers. She would have to tell him, that she was as much a prisoner in his heart, as he was in hers. That she was the golden moon, reaching down to with all her might to touch the many arms of the mighty ocean. That she was the thunder caught in his rain clouds, loudly announcing to the world that she had found her home.

Even as all these words swirled around in Kundavai’s head, she lapsed into frenzied work, sharing administrative responsibilities with both the chief minister and the head of the fort, working from one of the balconies overlooking the entrance to Tanjai’s fort, waiting for the scraps of news that came from the front. Vanathi had waited with her, her silence a blessing to Kundavai’s fraught thoughts.

Just as they lit the many lamps on the balcony, a messenger on horseback had sped through the gates, everyone had rushed down to the entrance. Kundavai held onto Vanathi’s hand, squeezing it tight as they waited for the man to alight. Both Aniruddha Brahmarayar and Chinna Pazhuvettarayar waited with them, faces marred with worry. Pazhuvettarayar had one hand on his sword, as though waiting, to jump onto a horse and rush off to the battlefield, but he did not have to, “Victory is ours, we have had many casualties, the wounded are being treated at camp and the rest of the army has been reassigned to guard the borders. Malayamaan and Periya Velar are making their way back with Ponniyin Selvan as we speak, they should reach in a few hours, I was sent on a fast horse to deliver the news.”

Vanathi had squeezed Kundavai’s hand, sharing in her elation and the tension of her news, why had there been no news of Vallavaraiyan?

The chief minister had turned to Kundavai, “Ilaya Piratti, shall we start making preparations for their return?” What he had left unsaid was, “do what you always do, occupy yourself.”

Kundavai found her voice, “of course, will you be going to inform the Chakravarthy? I shall get the rest of the lamps in fort lit and gather the women at the entrance while the servants prepare quarters for all the returning members of the family. Vanathi, will you take care of that?” Vanathi nodded, her an encouraging smile on her face, “keep hope, akka, he will return to you,” she whispered as she walked away.

She would try. The rock that was in her chest had barely moved, despite the good news.

.

.

.

From where she stood, waiting with her parents, she could see her grandfather, his horse trotting next to Velar’s. They crossed the threshold of the fort, showered with flowers and shouts of joy, the moon was bright in the sky but the fort had been lit with enough lamps that it outshone the cool light of the moon. Kundavai held her breath, behind them was her younger brother, her only brother now, a small voice at the back of her head whispered, and next to him, smiling but bloodied was the man she had kept prisoner in her heart. He had seen her, his smile had widened and her face had broken out into one too, even before she had felt the relief that surged through her.

.

.

.

A cool breeze blew through the city, as Kundavai had sneaked into Vandiyadevan’s rooms, waiting for him to return from his dip in the river to wash off the grim and dust of the battle field. She stood waiting by the window, her head turning as she heard him open the door, there he was standing with his hair wet and curly from his bath, slightly shocked at seeing her in his rooms.

He rubbed his eyes as little, “I must be exhausted, I’m seeing things” he muttered.

Kundavai laughed, walking up to him and taking his hand in hers, “No, I’m really here.”

Vandiyadevan looked even more shocked, “But Devi, at this time of night, in my chambers? Has something happened? Are you alright? Let me just get my sword and armour…” he trailed off as she continued to smile at him.

“I wanted to talk to you…and to see you…properly,” she said, the last bit in a whisper.

Vandiyadevan looked down at her, her hair was in loose braid snaking its way down her neck and over her shoulder, wearing plain white skirts that he assumed she usually slept in, no jewellery except small ruby earrings and the shining diamonds of her nose pins. He took in a deep breath, taking her other hand in his, guiding her to the seat by the window, she clearly had a lot on her mind, if she had broken every rule and protocol.

They sat facing each other, Kundavai looking down at their hands, “I also wanted to apologise…”

“You have nothing to apologise for…”

“No, no, I do. I stood by silently as you were bound in chains and accused of killing my brother. I said nothing, even though I knew the truth,” she closed her eyes, hold on his hands harder as tears slipped down her cheeks

Vandiyadevan entwined their fingers, “Ilavarasi, I failed in my duty to protect your brother, and I was willing to face whatever punishment your father bestowed on me. I failed you too, I had promised that I would look after him,” his voice cracking with emotion.

Kundavai, “But I should not have asked that of you, when we both knew that Aditha was willingly walking to his death. We knew, when he left the vihara, that it would be last time we saw him alive. We knew, and yet I asked you for the impossible.”

He nodded, “It would be very uncharacteristic of you Devi, if you not tried to stop the inevitable. It would have been beyond me, to do the same.”

She raised their entwined hands to her lips, kissing his fingers, “Thank you. For being with him at the end. I am sure he would have been happy to have you by his side.”

Vandiyadevan’s head dropped, suddenly overwhelmed by everything that had happened, “I could not believe it, I had been hit on the head and for a while I had hoped I was hallucinating. I cannot help remember the times I saw him alive, dancing, fighting, laughing. It had barely been a few weeks into my training when I encountered him, dancing, with the soldiers at the camp. Pouring drinks into their cups, beating drums to the tune of new songs. He was the life of the encampment.”

“He encouraged my ideas, sometimes even the slightly mad ones. Trained me to fight better, he was proud of me, even when I felt like I had nothing to be proud of. All that nonsense I sprout about being from the Vanar clan, I had never said those things before Karikalan had put them into words. I should have done more to protect him.”

Kundavai released one of her hands from his, using it to wipe away the tears streaming down his face, “He did not want to be protected. He rarely ever spoke of how the years of battle had taken a toll on him. How taking Veera Pandyan’s life had been eating away at him for years. His love for Nandini, that had never ceased, that turned into this battle between the two of them. He never said a word, but I had hoped he would put his duty before anything else. I had hoped, that his duty would save him.”

Vandiyadevan sunk into the feeling of her hand against his cheek, when was the last time someone’s touch had comforted him. Kundavai continued, “But his duty was never a comfort to him, like it was for me. Until I saw you in those chains, I wish I had put it aside, and come to your aid.”

He opened his eyes, “What would have been the outcome, Ilavarasi? It would have erupted in more accusations at both you and Ponniyin Selvan. You doing your duty, did not do any harm to me. There would have been too many questions to answer, if you had spoken for me.”

“I would have answered them.”

“What would you have said?”

“That you had promised me your life, and it was my decision on how to punish you.”

Vandiyadevan smiled, “How would you punish me?”

Kundavai smiled back, “By making you promise to use my given name, I have longed to hear you say it for days now.”

Vandiyadevan turned his face into her hand, giving her softest kiss, “That is more of a reward than a punishment, Kundavai.”

Her breath hitched; a blush stole its way across her face making Vandiyadevan smile wider, before he noticed how tired she looked, “Have you been sleeping at all, Kundavai?”

She shook her head, “Sleep has been most elusive, every time I close my eyes, I can only think of Aditha. If I somehow fall asleep, there have been some very scary nightmares,” she did not elaborate on them, and he did not want to ask her to relive them either.

Vandiyadevan did something he had only ever dreamed of, he pulled the princess closer, tucking her into his chest and wrapping his arms around her. Kundavai, used to being folded into hugs by her friends, slipped into his arms easily, letting the warmth of his body seep into her skin, her nose against his neck, taking in the smell of the river and the turmeric applied on his wounds. She should have been startled, never having been so close to a man before, but she was tired, and it had been a long day. Before she knew it, the steady thump of his heartbeat had lulled her to sleep. He stretched his legs out, pulling her closer, feeling her breath against his neck, relishing in the fact that he had survived all of those battles, to be able to hold this woman against him.

It was a little before dawn when his consciousness resurfaced, the dewy breeze announcing the arrival of the sun, but that had not been why he had woken up. Kundavai had been shaking, shivering in his arms, muttering under her breath, another nightmare he thought, before sitting up.

The sudden movement threw Kundavai out of her nightmare, and she opened her eyes, looking into the brown depths of Vandiyadevan’s eyes. She tightened her arms around his neck, and buried her face into his neck again, groaning slightly when she realised that even his presence could not drive away her nightmares, “Why is it so difficult?”

Vandiyadevan ran a hand through her hair, his chin against her head, “I miss him, I miss him every day. I will continue to miss him for as long as I live, just as I do my parents. Grief is constant Ilavarasi; we will learn to live with it.” Kundavai hummed, “There is so much I have to tell him about, I didn’t even get the chance to tell him about you.”

“He knew, that I would meet you and forever be held prisoner.”

“Did he?”

“It was always, when you meet Kundavai, never if you meet Kundavai.”

Kundavai laughed, “Was my brother a better matchmaker than I am?”

“I think I’m better than the both of you,” he huffed.

Kundavai looked at him incredulously, “Who have you tried to bring together?”

“No one yet! But when I do, it will not take as long as it did the both of you!”

Before Kundavai could answer, a soft knock on the door startled her out of his arms and behind the curtain. Vandiyadevan had but a second to miss her warmth before he opened the door to find an amused Vanathi, holding a small lamp in her hands, “Could you please return my akka to me before dawn breaks, Kamsamama?”

Vandiyadevan opened the door wider, a bashful grin spreading across his face, “I can’t promise not to steal her away again, mayakannan.”

Kundavai emerged from her hiding spot, “I trust you will be staying for a while?”

“Ponniyin Selvan has me commanded to be by his side till the coronation, Ilavarasi.”

Her brown eyes, soft in the glow of the lamp, bright from both the prospect of having him around, and getting a few hours of rest, stared into his for a while before she broke the spell to smile at him, “Get some more rest, Devan.”

He watched the two princesses walk away, having only then realised that they had both not been wearing their customary anklets, or even bangles, the reluctant spy in him marvelled at their tricks.

.

.

.

Vanathi kept her silence until they reached her chambers, “Akka, the suspense is killing me!”

A small giggle escaped Kundavai, “I had a lot to say to him, but his presence was so calming that I think I fell asleep before I could even finish half a thought.”

Vanathi giggled too, “You have been very brave, akka. I am proud of you”

Both of them dissolved into a fit of laughter, their joy echoing through the silent walls of Tanjai Fort which had been deprived of their tinkling laughter for a very long time now.

.

.

.

Preparations for the coronation kept the two of them busy during the day, but Kundavai had found such comfort in sleeping in his arms that she found herself doing exactly that on most nights. Taking off her anklets, blowing out the lamps in her chambers and making her way to his. He would be waiting for her, arms wide open, offering comfort, sharing stories of Aditha. They had cried, laughed, and missed him together. They had started healing. Vandiyadevan took his time getting used to how their love was growing; his initial shock of suddenly having his arms full of Kundavai had faded in the face of comfort, kindness, warmth, and gentleness that they shared.

Vandiyadevan had dared dream of more, so had Kundavai. She had felt his hands running through her hair, sending little shocks of pleasure down her spine. Would he feel the same, if she ran her hands through his hair? It did not feel the same when her friends did. She had felt the soft touch of his lips on her hands, and she had wondered how it might feel elsewhere on her skin. Her chest had been pressed against his, she had marvelled at how different his body felt to hers. He was all muscles, scars and unruly smiles drowned in sunlight while she was bathed in moonlight.

As the dark blue inky night turned into a purple dawn, she had left a small kiss on the corner of his lips as he had slept. He had felt her soft coral lips throughout the chaos of the day, with Arulmozhi Varman placing the crown on Sendhan Amudhan’s head, Chinna Pazhuvettarayar’s disappearance in the midst of the chaos and Kundavai’s confusion and horror at her brother’s actions. He knew she would not come to him tonight, and he would have to leave tomorrow along with Thirumalai, he made his way to her instead.

She was sitting surrounded by a bunch of scrolls and olais, and turned to look at him as he climbed through her window, “I am so angry with you.”

“I was bound to secrecy! How could I betray Ponniyin Selvan’s trust,” his face open, eyes wide and pleading.

“You could have given me a small hint!”

“I tried to convince him that you would take his side, but he was adamant that no one should know. I am very sorry Ilavarasi.”

She sighed, irritated but resolved to move past her hurt, “Well, what is done is done.”

He sat in front of her, “I have to leave tomorrow.”

She looked up, “In search of Chinna Pazhuvettarayar?”

“Yes, the chief minister thinks it would be wise to send me instead of a large battalion.”

Kundavai had begun to put away her olais, he stood up, taking the bundle from her arms and placing it on the nearby shelf. She stood too, “You came to take your leave then?”

He walked back to her, stopping only when his hand wrapped around her waist and his toes in line with hers. She gasped, her hands holding his arms, her eyes wide. This was different, this was very different from all the nights she had spent sleeping in his arms. His hands, ran up her waist, slowing setting her skin on fire. Pulling her closer, he left a kiss on the corner of her lips. Just as she had done in the morning. But he did not stop, he continued to kiss his way down her neck, her shoulders, back to her collar bones and before she knew it, she had plunged her hands into hair, her mind going blank, her skin tingling. She pushed herself into him, closer. Why had they not done this before?

Vandiyadevan raised his head, his hand on the back of her neck, “The little flower of a kiss you gave me this morning has stayed with me all day. I’m going to kiss you properly now Kundavai, tell me to stop.”

She shook her head, eyes closed and raised herself onto her toes and pressed her lips to his. His hand around her neck kept her in place, as her entire being focused on where his body met hers. Her tongue tangled with his, her fingers in his hair, her chest pressed in his, his hands running up and down her back. Oh, she could do this forever, be held by him, to kiss him.

They had to come for breath though, she had meant to say something, which was lost when she felt his lips going down her neck again.

“Is this where you keep me prisoner, Ilavarasi?” he asked, stopping at the valley between her breasts, eyes looking up at her.

“Yes,” she let out in a huff

She felt him smile against her skin, continuing down to her waist, leaving kisses on every bit of her skin. She felt her knees buckle when he bit down where her waist chain usually sat, her nails sinking in his shoulders. He kissed he way back up to her lips, his forehead against hers as they took in deep breaths.

“Is this how you take your leave?” she asked, still pressed into him.

“This is how I will take your leave” he smirked, hands running down her back.

She kissed him, this time trying to commit to memory how he felt against her. Her hands against his warm skin, feeling the way his breath hitched when she kissed down his neck, the way her hips moved closer to his, when her hands wandered across the vast expanse of his shoulders, when she kissed his chest, asking him the same question he has asked.

.

.

.

His countenance was grim the next morning, the task ahead of him was not an easy one. But he turned back to look at Kundavai, as was to become habit as he went on his many adventures, and she smiled, the most encouraging smile she could muster. He smiled back, his eyes twinkling with the promise to return to her. She raised her hand to her chest, her palm fisting, holding him prisoner in her heart, entwining his soul to hers even as his body crossed oceans and cities that she would never see.

---------------------------------------------------------

Somehow this is a mix of movieverse and bookverse. I was wondering how it would feel for Kundavai to make a move without thinking of the many consequences of her actions, and pull a Vandiyadevan and say, to think is to act.

[thereader-radhika]

The Handsome One

Ravidasan: Tell me the truth, girl! You've not lost your heart to the youngster’s [Vanthiyathevan] beauty, have you? Nandini: Chi, chi! What words! How can anyone talk about a man’s beauty? Only in this debased Chozha country do people rejoice over a good-looking Emperor. Aren’t battle scars the only signs of beauty in a man?” Ravidasan: That's well said.

Sundaran was a name frequently used by Pandya men, not Cholas. The first Pandya king who was named Sundaran is believed to have been Siva himself and he is worshipped as Sundareshwaran, the husband of Queen Thadathagai (Madurai Meenakshi).

Quite funnily, Meenakshi's brother (Vishnu) is also called the handsome one - Alagar.

Alagar giving away his sister Meenakshi to Sundarar

The pairing of Veeran and Sundaran as brothers' names is repeated throughout Pandya history. Veera Pandyan mentioned in the novel too had a brother named Sundaran. Veera Pandyan's Sivakasi Copper Plates say,

Just like Maha Vishnu (Upendran*) who conquered the world by his prowess had Devendran as his elder brother,  he [Veera Pandyan] had an elder brother named Sundarapandyan, who was a refuge for scholars.

This prince could have been a scholar and poet like Kandharadithan and Veera Pandyan could have been the more militarily active brother. Anyway Sundaran died when he was young, probably before Veeran rebelled against Cholas (we don't know if Veera Pandyan himself offed him ☠️). He constructed a pallippadai (sepulchre temple) Sundara Pandyar Isvaram-udayar Kovil, for his dear annan after he became the king.

Now the temple is known as Kalainathaswamy Temple and the village is called Pallimadam. This temple was quite famous in the academic circles during the time of publication of Ponniyin Selvan because it is the only Pandyan memorial temple that has survived to the present day.

An article published by The Hindu about the temple

Basically, Kalki is hinting that Nandini who is associated with Pandya rebels doesn't even know the basics of Pandya conventions or the bare minimum details about her dead 'master'. This is another historical easter egg like The Curious Case of Parthivendran. She is just bluffing and coasting with whatever little she knows and hoping that her emotional appeals will work. It is obvious that she got this idea from the rants of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the veteran of 24 battles who bears 64 scars on his venerable body.

Meanwhile Ravidasan who really needs Nandini's Lankan coins is like

Bonus information: Pandya dynasty fell apart due to the civil war between another Veeran and Sundaran 🤣 in the 14th c.

* Upendran - Younger brother of Indran. This might be a bit confusing. In the beginning of early texts like Rig Veda, Vishnu is a minor god and Indra, as the King of Gods and the personification of the forces of weather is a mighty God. Later, Indra's influence reduced and Vishnu overtook him. Gradually, 'Upendra' came to refer only to Vamana, one of the avatars of Vishnu who was born as a younger son of Aditi. Still this Vedic influence can be seen in several later texts too, calling Rama and Krishna 'Upendra'.

Here, Vishnu/Upendran = Veera Pandyan, the younger brother Indran = Sundara Pandyan, the elder brother.

[fishy006]

most relatable character in the movie was Vanthiyadevan, because i too would flirt with every girl in that movie.

[thirst4light]

Karthi in Chola Multiverse

So, I was doing some reading on the Chola dynasty last night and stumbled across this piece of information.

Karthi aka our favorite Vallavaraiyan Vanthiyadevan had played a Chola descendant in modern day named Muthu in the 2010 movie Aayirathil Oruvan. This literally blew my mind 🤯🤯🤯!!!

I have seen at the very least fifty interviews, press meets of the cast for both PS- 1 and PS -2. And NOBODY...literally NOBODY thought of asking Karthi about working on 2 movies (technically 3) on the history of Chola empire.

(How I wish I was an interviewer and had the opportunity to ask questions to the cast 😩!)

After I thought about this fact, I realized this opens a floodgate of ideas for great stories.

This fact literally DEMANDS a Vanthiyadevan X MUTHU MULTIVERSE FANFICTION!!

Imagine the possiblities...

Pic courtesy: Internet

[vishnavishivaa]

A Brother’s Eyes

This is a two shot/TS. This is the first part. There is a continuation that will come eventually. 

---------------------------------

The silence between the three siblings was comfortable and comforting as well, all three basking in their united presence. 

“Anna,” Kundavai said softly, looking at Aditha Karikalan, who had a relaxed expression on his face, one that came due to being in Arulmozhi’s vicinity. 

“Sollu, thangaiye,” he smiled at her softly, curious expression on his face. 

“Please stay for a little longer with us,” she pleaded, her eyes filled with hope and despair in equal measure. Arulmozhi also looked at his elder brother with such hope that Aditha did not have the heart to say no, despite having to go. 

“Let me talk to Thirumalai,” he sighed softly. “I will lay false trails and stay for another day.” 

Both Kundavai and Arulmozhi brightened up, nodding their heads at his words cheerily. 

Aditha embraced his siblings once more tightly, before leaving to find Thirumalai. 

****

Aditha was walking back, when he heard his sister’s voice talking to another female. Curious, he moved closer to the sound, peering discreetly. 

“Vanathi…”

Ah! 

She was talking to the Kodumbalur princess, who was said to always be in Kundavai’s company. It was also rumoured that the elders wanted her to marry Arulmozhi, and he had heard this from numerous people. 

Wondering what they were discussing, he focused deeper. 

“Illai, Akka. I will not see your younger brother,” she said, sounding stubborn and tearful at once, causing Kundavai to sigh. 

“What did he do now?” 

Aditha had to smile at her tone, the exasperation such a characteristic trait of Kundavai when it came to her brothers. 

“He didn’t do anything Akka…” 

“Arulmozhi,” she groaned, apparently having seen the actual answer on her thozhi’s face. “Paathum paarkadhadai pola?” 

Aditha frowned. His brother had seen the Princess and turned his face away, not acknowledging her beyond that? That did not sound like Arulmozhi and his endless respect for women. Why was he seemingly cold with the Kodumbalur Princess? From all that he had heard, she is a very gentle soul. 

“Akka, I came to see him. I did not come for him to see me,” Vanathi responded softly. Aditha’s stone cold heart melted at the soft words of the Princess, whose tone seemed enough for him to be fond of. 

“Sembian Patti and I saw you lifeless, ready to drown yourself in the Kaveri because you heard my brother drowned in the sea. Face him, kanmaniye. You came for him, show him that his behaviour is not going to push you back.”

“Akka, I don’t like to bother Ponniyin Selvar…”

“You had no trouble standing up to the Ilaya Rani of Pazhuvoor, but you don’t want to face my brother?” Kundavai asked, her palm holding her thozhi’s. 

Stood up to Nandini?

His Nandini?

Aditha was frozen, but impressed as well. He knew just how Nandini was, and standing up to her was difficult for most, including his Thatha Periya Pazhuvettarayar. It showed the Princess had a very strong will power. 

“Akka, it was your teaching that helped me,” she responded instead. 

“Seri, if you don’t meet Arulmozhi, will you at least meet Karikalan Anna?” Kundavai questioned, and Aditha knew she had caught him the second he had come.

“I am here only, Kundavai,” he stepped around the pillar, smiling genially at his sister, whose eyes were narrowed in a mock glare. 

“Anna, idhu enna thiruttuthanam?” asked Kundavai, the smile spilling on her face cheerful. 

Vanathi had moved behind Kundavai, her natural bashfulness coming to play. 

“Anna, this is my uyir thozhi, Kodumbalur Ilavarasi, Vanathi. Kanne, this is my elder brother, who you have heard a lot about from me,” Kundavai introduced them to each other with a smile. 

“Vanangugiren, Ilavarase,” Vanathi said, bowing down. 

“Call me Anna, Ilavarasi,” he responded instead, smiling at Kundavai, knowing she would understand what he meant.

“Then you should call me by name, Anna,” she smiled, seeming to have understood that his acceptance was intertwined with his words. 

Aditha nodded, please with the gentleness of the Princess. His brother was a gentle soul at heart, and he needed an equally gentle soul to light the fire of love in his veins. 

“Will you both help me with something?” 

The asking look on their faces made him smile, and he started talking, faced with the delight of Kundavai and the growing shyness of Vanathi. 

****

“The bikshus want us to eat in a private dining hall?” Arulmozhi sounded dubious, and with good reason. Food was usually had together with everyone. 

“The bikshus gave your elder brother permission for a small, private dinner, Ilavarase,” Vanthiyadevan said instead, walking side by side with Arulmozhi, ready to help him at a moment’s notice.

Arulmozhi nodded, believing it, for his elder brother could do anything he had decided to do.

“Here, Ilavarase,” Vanthiyadevan said, turning into a hall, Arulmozhi following him. 

“Anna,” Kundavai’s voice, so cheerful that day, made Arulmozhi smile. “You have not heard Vanathi sing, have you? Outside me, the only person in this group of us who have heard her sing is your friend from the Vana clan.”

Arulmozhi stopped, his eyes immediately going to Vanathi unintentionally, who was seated on the small seat next to Kundavai, ever with her like a shadow. 

“Vanthiyadevan?” Aditha laughed. 

“Maya Kannanin paattai ketkamal irukka mudiyuma?” Vanthiyadevan decided to reply. 

Vanathi’s breath hitched when she turned to reply to Vanthiyadevan, seeing Arulmozhi standing next to him. 

“Maya Kannana?”

Vanathi had already stood up, all too respectful of Arulmozhi, who seemed to be refusing to see her then. She lowered her face in sadness, before looking back up at Aditha this time, who had a curious look in his eyes. 

“Yes, my Prince,” Vanthiyadevan said. “When I reached Tanjai, it was Krishnā Jayanthi, and celebrations were going on. I went to find the Ilaya Piratti, and came across the dance performance where Kodumbalur Ilavarasi plays Maya Kannan.” 

“I think you were very moved by it, Kamsa Mama,” Vanathi giggled softly. “So much so that you decided to join me as Kamsa Mama.” 

“Vanthiyadeva!” Aditha laughed, raising an eyebrow at the sly smile on the Vana warrior’s face. “Does this mean you also danced with Vanathi?”

Arulmozhi’s eyes snapped to his brother, unable to help himself. Since when had she been Vanathi to Anna? 

“I had to, Ilavarase,” Vanthiyadevan said, sitting on Arulmozhi’s side as Aditha indicated. The latter was watching his brother, who refused to meet anyone’s eyes, and understood the confusion in his body language. 

“I don’t think Aditha Anna is any less than you in spy work, Vanarthavare,” Vanathi said instead, and Arulmozhi’s eyes were suddenly and completely trained on her face. She smiled internally at this, and knew a blush was dancing on her face. However, she didn’t allow her eyes to stray to him, instead choosing to focus on Aditha’s feeble protests, overridden by Kundavai. 

“Naanum en thozhiyum pesuvadai kettadhu needhan Anna,” Kundavai said. “Arulmozhi, idhai kel. Vanathi and I were talking to each other about something, and Anna decided to spy on us. He came out only because I caught him. Or else he would have stayed there.” 

“It was very interesting, Kundavai. How else would I have found out that Vanathi had a word war with Pazhuvoor Ilaya Rani?” Aditha said, purposely looking at his brother for this, whose eyes seemed to find Vanathi’s face. 

Aha! 

There it was. The confusion and yearning in his younger brother’s eyes was clear to Aditha. He knew his brother felt something for Vanathi. 

Now to get him to admit it. 

Aditha knew the task before him was large, but he was up to it, as Kundavai coaxed Vanathi into talking about the confrontation. 

—-------------------------------

What confrontation is this? It is one I assumed in the movies :p 

Glossary:

Sollu, thangaiye- Tell me, little sister

Paathum paarkadhadai pola- He saw you but pretended he had not 

Anna, idhu enna thiruttuthanam- Anna, what is this thievery you are resorting to?

Vanangugiren- My respects to you

Maya Kannanin paattai ketkamal irukka mudiyuma?- How can I not listen to the song of Maaya Kannan?

Naanum en thozhiyum pesuvadai kettadhu needhan Anna- You were the one who heard what my friend and I were discussing, Anna

************

@vibishalakshman @rang-lo @dumdaradumdaradum @thelekhikawrites @kovaipaavai Whoever else wants me to tag them every time I update, please let me know.