#Manimegalai

[nidhi-writes]

MASTERLIST

The innocent flower that loved him with all her heart, yet her love is not enough, enough to be heard or seen but only to be held at the moment of closure.

AVAL

[thereader-radhika]

Some crazy Ponniyin Selvan prompts

• Poonkuzhali joins Pandya Aabathudavigal.

Some time ago, some people from the Pandya country came here. They wanted me to help them wreak vengeance on the royal family which had betrayed my aunt. It was then that I heard my aunt's story. My blood began to boil and I decided to join them. Later, I came to know how my aunt felt about all this. . . . Then I abandoned the idea of joining hands with the Pandya group. As you said my aunt's love is really divine. But mark my words, I won't be like her. If any Prince tries to deceive me I'll take revenge. I'll kill him. I'll also kill the woman who steals him from me. Then I'll stab myself and die.

• Vanathi joins Buddha monastery for real.

Vanathi went on: "Yes! I've decided to become a Buddhist sanyasini. Why do you object to that? Weren't there many women in ancient Tamil Nadu who became ascetics? Did not Madhavi's daughter, Manimekalail, become an ascetic and attain divinity and don't we praise her now as the Goddess Manimekalai? I have no such aspirations. I tried to end my useless life, but failed in the attempt. Perhaps it is God's wish that I live a little longer. I want to join a Buddhist monastery and spend my time serving people. You won't refuse to help me, will you?"

• Chinna Pazhuvettaraiyar Kalanthaka Kandar adopts Vanthiyathevan.

Let's wait, he thought, until my older brother returns. We can find out about him then and do whatever is best. A warrior like him should be inducted into our private bodyguard. Even a portion of his ancestral kingdom could be given back to him. Helping boys like this will bind them to us and ensure their loyalty. But if he's proved an enemy, we'll have to make other plans. Let's wait for my brother, anyway. We’ll see.

• Poonkuzhali fakes her death and runs away from the palace.

The court politics and the never ending scheming are so tiring and infuriating. She doesn't like Senthan as much as thought and Emperor Senthan is the most eligible married man in the country. She runs away, to embrace the waves once again.

• Manimegalai thinks 'ponal pogattum poda' (let it go) and starts to manage the affairs of Sambuvarayar clan when Kandan Maran is away on border patrol.

She is totally embarassed about her emotional outburst about a man who doesn't like her, that too to the woman he actually loves.

• Parthipendra Pallavan and Manimegalai decide to get married out of spite and plot the end of Vanthiyathevan and Kundavai.

Yeah, I made that up. I am crazy.

If anyone writes anything, please tag me so that my evil heart can rejoice 😏

@vibishalakshman @willkatfanfromasia @celestesinsight @harinishivaa @nspwriteups @nature-writes29, @whippersnappersbookworm @philtstone @sambaridli @sampigehoovu @thirst4light @dr-scribbler @doesitmatterluv @thirishareads

[sampigehoovu]

The lovers of aditha karikalan

The princess of Kadambur 

In which Manimegalai is more duty bound, Aditha calmer, and the lake rescue becomes a conversation about marriage. 

Or 

Manimegalai’s crush is cruelly nipped at the bud. 

Tanjore 

Vanathi brought Manimegalai into Kundavai’s chambers. Megalai, dressed like a common traveller had clearly been crying, her face red and her eyes swollen, bowed in front of the princess. 

“You are Sambhuvarayar’s daughter, are you not?” the princess asked. 

“Yes, Ilavarasi. I am,” she hung her head, tears forming in her eyes again at the thought of her father and brother imprisoned in the dungeons. 

Kundavai waited for her to speak. 

“I am not here to ask for their release, Ilaya Piratti,” she reached into the folds of her saree, “I am here to deliver this olai to you.”

She handed it over to Kundavai, “Your brother, he gave it to me the day of his demise, told me to deliver it to you.”

Kundavai had finished reading the olai, handed it to Vanathi, “Do you know what the olai says, Manimegalai?”

“I can not read, your highness”, she said, “but I am aware that Vallavaraiyar has been imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.”

Kundavai looked at her, her piercing gaze making Megalai stand taller, throwing her shoulders back and looking into the eyes of the princess, “That armband, Kadambur Ilavarasi, where did you get that?”

Manimegalai looked down at the slightly out of shape armband with a snake head at the end, “Your brother…Karikalan, he gave it to me.”

Kadambur, a few days ago

She knew it was the crown prince who had rescued her from the lake. She had spent the last few days watching this man, observing his every move, every word that came out of his mouth. She had paid attention to what he ate, what he wore, how he changed his hair throughout the day (it was only in a full bun if he was completely relaxed, which seemed to be the rarest of rare occurrences). She knew that this was the man her parents wanted her to marry, even as her indecisive brother was still pushing for the other crown prince. 

Feeling his eyes on her face, she slowly blinked hers open. He looked concerned, she smiled. 

“Is this how life is with you?”

He placed her down on the grass, “What do you mean?”

She lay down, opening out the edges of her saree, spreading it over the grass to let the sun do his job, “You put me in danger, and then rescue me yourself?” 

He laughed, his booming laugh which sounded pleasant in the open air. When he laughed in the meeting rooms, it was sarcastic, meant to taunt, to prick. But this laugh, it made her smile too. 

“Kadambur Ilavarasi, why are you thinking of a life with me?”

“Because there have been talks of marrying me off to you.”

He hummed, sitting down next to her, leaning on his elbows, “There have been whispers, yes.”

She looked at him, he was watching Vandiyadevan and Nandini scramble onto shore. 

“They will ask you soon,” she prodded.

“Have they asked you?”

She laughed, “Only your sister has the freedom to choose her husband, Ilavarase.”

He looked at her, eyes piercing, the warmth that was there a few minutes ago replaced by a calculating look, “What do you want me to say, when they ask?”

“Are you giving me the illusion of choice?”

“Like you said, only my sister has the freedom to choose.”

“We are at the brink of a civil war.”

He looked at her, surprised, “The Kadambur Ilavarasi keeps track of political intrigues?”

“It seems prudent, when they want to use me to quell the uprising.”

“We are on different sides of the same boat are we not, Ilavarasi?”

She nodded, “My father would be pleased, the future kings would be his grandchildren. He’d have the same position your grandfather holds now.”

“That will happen only if the other chieftains withdraw their support to the sly scheme of the Pazhuvettarayars.” He sounded tired, like the anger that he had been throwing at the chieftains had drained him. 

Manimegalai sat up, “You might find yourself with a bouquet of wives.”

Karikalan flinched, “Have you thought about that too?”

“I have. But I think I’ll be able to manage if you promise to rescue me first when trouble inevitably arrives.”

Karikalan’s laugh was louder this time, “If that is your wish.”

She turned her face to look at him, noticing that the blue dye of her saree had run in the water, it had left its mark on his chest where he had held her. A dull blue spread across his scarred skin. She looked down, a sudden blush rushing to her face. 

“I believe we’ve reached an agreement even before the official talks have begun, Ilavarasi. You will make a fine diplomat.”

The blush deepend, “A compliment, from the commander of the northern forces himself!”

He sat up, his voice teasing, “There will be more to come, I am sure.”

“So not just a warrior then, as much a flirt as your friend Vandiyadevan!”

“Who do you think taught him all his tricks?”

“Where did you practise all your charms, Ilavarase? On the unsuspecting Rashtrakuta soldiers?”

A faint blush spread from his cheeks to his neck and before he could answer, Vallavaraiyar came hurtling towards them. 

.

.

.

The next morning found Megalai collecting flowers in the small garden adjoining the lake, the previous day’s events had been playing on her mind. 

She had always imagined falling in love with a kind, loving man. Someone who would shower her with flowers, write poems for her, take her on journeys to far away lands where they could both be in awe of whatever they saw, ate, heard. 

Since her brother had gone to war, she had been forced to grow up along with him. The sudden interest her father and brother had taken in the workings of the royal family had thrown her into the proverbial fire, because they had wanted to get her married off Madhuranthakan, a man who travelled in a woman’s palanquin*, trying to gain support for his claim to the crown. It had disgusted her, and she had expressed the same, only to be shot down with lectures on duty and power. 

She had hoped the return of Kandamaran’s friend, Vallavaraiyar would remind them of how much they had hoped for a union there, but it was to no avail. Not that she knew if Vallavaraiyar would make a better husband than Madhuranthakan. 

Eventually, they had landed on the audacious scheme of giving her in marriage to the crown prince of the Chola empire, the Kopparakesari Aditha Karikalan. She had laughed, why would he marry her? 

.

.

.

She had watched the way he had entered the fort. Proud. Fearless. Going up to the balcony to address the crowds, waving at them.

She had watched, as his fury burst from his mouth in cutting sarcasm.

She watched, as he laughed with Vallavaraiyan, suddenly a young prince who found joy in hunting rather than the heir to the throne dealing with a deadly conspiracy.

She had watched how he had interacted with Nandini, who had fast become her confidant. It was curious, they seemed like old friends, but rarely ever expressed any words that indicated so. 

She had watched, looking for signs that would let her make an argument for why he would make a terrible husband, or worse, a terrible king. She had found none. 

He was impulsive, angry and utterly disrespectful to everyone who stood in his way.

He was kind and patient with the people who came to him with various problems.

He was boisterous, loud and happy with his friends. 

He always had a solution, even though it was sometimes a bit too rash. 

Yesterday, when he had pulled her out of the water, she had felt his strength, the sheer power of this famed Chola lion. 

She had broached the idea of their marriage, there would not be another time to do so she had thought. Best to get it out of the way, to be prepared for whatever answer he had to give before she reconciled herself to her duty. 

“Kadambur Ilavarasi, may I have a moment of your time please?” his voice spoke, from behind her. She jumped, a hundred years to this man. 

“Ilavarase, I did not hear you,” she muttered.

“You seemed lost in thought…” he trailed off, plucking a flower that had been too high for her and dropping it into her basket, “but I had to speak to you about something important.”

He dropped an olai into her flower basket, “Would you keep this safe, and deliver it to my sister Kundavai, in case anything happens to me?”

She was startled, “Why would anything happen to you?”

“The chieftains are all gathering here today are they not?” he smirked. 

“So why would anything happen to you?” she pushed. 

“It is best to be prepared, for any situation. People have killed for the crown before, have they not? I am unaware of how far Madhuranthakan’s ambitions have corrupted him.”

She nodded, suddenly afraid, “I will do as you ask,” her voice shook. 

He took her hand in his, warmth suddenly spread through her, he was sliding his armband up her arm, “You’ll make a great queen one day, Manimegalai,” he said, as he had walked away from her and into the discussions. 

The next time she saw him was when she had run out of Nandini’s room. It had not been the chieftains who were a danger to him, it was Nandini. 

. 

. 

. 

She had cried endlessly. For her father. Her brother. For Nandini’s lost friendship. For Vallavaraiyan’s incarceration. For the emperor, who had looked broken at his son’s pyre. For his two siblings, his friends, his soldiers, his people. She had cried, for the few moments she had spent with a man, taken too soon from this world. She had cried, for herself. 

—

*It was an ingenious scheme, but guessing it emasculated him in the 10th century.

----

This is not great, but I had to get this out of the way before it took over my brain. Might edit later.

[alwaysthesideofwonder]

I’ve only gotten to see Manimegalai for a few chapters but she is an absolute delight!

And she and Vandiyadevan are so cute! If it weren’t for Kundavai I would be cheering for these two!

[indiaglitztamil]

Are you an avid fan of the popular show Cooku with Comali? Want to know why VJ Manimegalai quit the show? In this video, let's see Manimegalai's answer for quitting the show. CWC 4 is currently going on air. Vj Manimegalai, who has been a part of the show as a Comali since the first edition, has now quit the show. The young and popular Manimegalai has officially announced that she has quit the show 'Cooku with Comali', which has been running for 3 seasons.

[fullypics]

Vijay Stars Group Selfie 📸 Follow @fully_pics . . . #alyamanasa #alyamanasa😍 #sanjeev_alya #sanjeev_karthick #sanjeevkarthick #chithuvj_army #chithuvj #makapa #azhar #rakshan #manimegalai #tamiltvshows #tamilactress #tamilcinema #tamiltrending #tamilserial #vijaytvshow #vijaytvserial #vijaytelevision #zeetamil #cookwithcomali #zeetamilserial #suntvserial #cookwithcomali2 #suntv #biggbosstamil #rajaranivijaytv #rajaraniserial #fullypics https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmy_gRiBQO1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[leanderkevin]

கண்ணகி / Kannagi This piece was commisioned by @van.xav on Instagram. She wanted a vision of Kannagi that doesn't portray her as a wife or as a symbol of fidelity, purity and chastity, but a woman exercising her own expressive agency. It was interesting to bring to life a vision of Kannagi that does not include the silambu, a thali, or the pottu and depicts her as her own person, rather than Kovalan’s wife who was wrongfully widowed. #leanderscribbles#tamil#தமிழ்#tamilartist#tamilart#tamilculture#tamilliterature#silappathikaram#manimegalai#kannagi#art#artcommission#tattoodesign#tattoo https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf0k6T6hjRO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pristine24]

இது உங்க ஷோ இல்ல பிரியங்கா! இங்க நாங்க வச்சதுதான் சட்டம்.. விளாசிய செஃப் தாமு.. வெளியான வீடியோ | Chef Damu's remark "this is not your show Priyanka..we decide, we place the rules" - Tamil Oneindia

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[balloonssurprise]

Balloons Surprise Bangalore is an event management company located on West Manimegalai Road. Organizing a wedding is one of the most challenging tasks, and every wedding event is different from the others and requires individual planning and execution. If you are looking for an experienced wedding planning company to help you host your wedding, Balloons Surprise Decorators, Bangalore, is the place for you. They have been planning weddings for a long time and go to great lengths to make your wedding eventful and unforgettable.

[nidhi-writes]

Aval - Manimegalai

The hot and humid breeze flies through the area with the gliding sound of leaves that are trying to hold on to the branches like two lovers trying to hold on. But as the breeze gets stronger the unlucky ones are dropped to the ground to let it eaten slowly by their surroundings. Just like them, human life kinda falls apart cause of their own likeness. 

As the sun started to go down as the evening comes right away giving a promising cool breeze that is much needed for the people who are currently experiencing the last few days of summer.

As a waving air that flows through a voyage without a destiny, lotus-like feet wandered around Veeranam Lake. Eyes like fish which are clouded with only one image, with the tired and fatigued body of the innocent rose of Kadambur, the youngest princess Manimegali wandered around trying to find her love. Her love who doesn't even know or care about her. A tried smile erupted on her lips when she saw the mandapam that standing through time. As she softly went near the walls where it reads small in the corner of the stone embark on the journey of many warriors who left for war from this place.

There it is, where she had scribbled on a stone quite a while ago, it reads Vaanar kula Veeran, tham manathai venra veeran'. A sad smile itched its way onto her pale lips, with a whimper she traced those words again and again and fell down as the fatigue and fever is taking up its way into her.

Her mind traced the first instants she saw him when he came to their home, and how she was hiding to get a glimpse of his face just to feel the ecstasy of love. How her brother always talked about his friend who is not only loyal but intelligent and very quick to resolve any problems along with having a heart of gold and a child. From that moment she knew that it was him and always be him. Even when her brother told her to forget about Vaanar kula veeran and marry the prince they will fix for her she couldn't do it! how could she!.

She smiled sadly at the thought of her being angry with him when the news circled about how her Vandiyadevan backstabbed her brother. All those moments when she knew that it's not who he is and would never do it but also was scared that she is overconfident with him and would get disappointed at the end.

But how she felt relieved after knowing the truth about him and meeting him in the cellar. Just one look and she knew that she needs to do something so that he will be freed from here and can live his life. Many asked her why to take the blame for some man. But to her he is not just any man, he is hers and she is his, even though he may never know.

The small time she spent with him is more than enough for her as it felt like she had lived her life purposes. As her eyes started to drop and her mind went still she felt someone before her. Her eyes opened to see and gasped, how it was possible.

'Why is my Mani being dull?' Her loves voice made her heart skip a beat

'Vandiyadevare?' Her fatigued face brightened up, he is here finally, after all this time.

'It's me, of course! who else would be here to be with my Mani other than me' He smiled and kissed her forehead, the action made Mani feel more alive than any other medicine she ever had. She wanted this to last forever and she would gladly take any hardship if his shoulder is ready to take her head.

'I am not feeling well Vandiyadevare, and I know my time here is not for long' Her words made her heart bleed. She wants to be with him and live her life to the fullest. But she is scared that it's all going to end fast.

'My silly Mani, How would you ever leave me? We are going to be one happy couple forever. You are not going that easily away from me' She smiled at his words but her head felt heavier and her vision is going black and dizzy again.

'Vanthiyadevare-' She couldn't able to finish the sentence.

'Manimegali! Mani' Vandiyadevan's voice goes down as her dizziness got more. She took a big breathe and her vision returns to normal but before her stood her brother who is shouting her name with panic in his voice.

'Manimegali! Where have you been? We were searching for you all day. Oh, Mani!' Kandamabaran cried and lifted his little sister and ran back to the Palace. He knows he is also part of the reason why his sister feeling now. If he hadn't mentioned Vandiyadevan back then or did not made her separate from him and not sought marriage for her with some other prince maybe his sister would be happy now and married to his once best friend.

As the raja Vaithiyar examined and Mani shook his head at the Prince and his father they know there is nothing more they can do but pray and hope.

Kandamaran shook his head and wrote a letter to his ex-best friend, hoping that he would receive this sooner and make his way here for one last time. He knows that Vandiyadevan doesn't owe anything to him and his sister but as a brother he wanted his sister to have at least one last wish to come true. He heard her murmuring for Vandiyadevan while he went in search of her. At that moment he knew only Vandiyadevan can cure or give his sister the last love.

Next day

Vandiyadevan is currently riding his horse at full speed, as he received a letter from his frine dKandamaran, asking him to visit more like pleading. He can able to sense terror in his words and with the mention of his sister Manimegalai, he knew that he had to visit. Although he had only seen his sister a couple of times and didn't interact with her often the time when she is ready to accept the penalty to save him before the court he knew that this girl is more than anything. Even though he couldn't reciprocate the feeling Manimegalai have for him, he really have her at a high place in his heart. Unfortunately, his heart is only reserved for his Ilaya Pirattiyar, since the time they met he knew that's who is heart wants.

And he knew that Manimegali deserved someone who is not only a warrior but a loveable one who can give the world to that innocent golden flower of Kadambur. But nothing prepared him for the sight he thought he would witness as he reached the room where Manimegali is currently, Kandamaran's eyes held sadness and many emotions.

A weak footstep was heard as he went inside the room, with the pair of tired eyes and sunken cheeks stood the once bubbly and always smiling Mani he knew. Tears fell down from his eyes as he took in the state of the Kadambur flower now standing before him, is this his dream? he wished to be and hoped that Manimegalai is healthy and thriving in her home. But life is not fair and this is the reality. 

With a small smile on her dried and pale lips, Mani limped forward, She couldn't able to contain her excitement, and her heart is filled with joy. Finally, he is here and this time is for real, As her heart started to slow down, she went faster and her legs gave up and started to fall down. But the angel before her caught just before her body hits the ground.

She wanted to say so much but her voice couldn't able to get it out. She smiled a teary smile to which Vandiyadevan cried seeing her in this state. He can see she is struggling to get her words as he combed her hair with his hand and lightly pressed a kiss on her forehead. At that moment Mani know this is it, her last moment and her wish is finally over she nodded at him and he nodded as well without fully knowing what is in her mind. With one last breath, she went into a sleep state from which she will never wake up. With a heart-wrenching sound, Vandiyadevan cried, hugging the once bubbly and cheerful girl he know now laying lifeless in his arm.

Nobody knows that a warrior like him is capable to cry like this and he did, even though he fully doesn't know why but his heart what to cry it out.

Later that night

Kandamaran asked Vandiyadevan to stay as they finished the final rituals of Manimegalai. They offered him a room to stay for the night and travel tomorrow, the least they could do.

With tear-stained cheeks Vandiyadevan laid on the bed, He could still feel the weight of Mani in his arm, Oh what he is gonna do? How he is gonna able to come out of it, sleep took over him and his breathing becomes steady and slow.

Pair of eyes watching over him, one the soul of the beautiful flower who just passed away and another one is the once crown prince 'Aditha Karikalan'.  Both of them loved this man, to one he is the love of their life, to another this is the one who saved his life on many occasions and was a brother to him. Their wandering souls made a stop to visit the person who is very important to them

'Why did you love him' Aditha asked her.

'How can I not! It's him! It's always him!' Her voice held sadness and many emotions.

'Would you change things if you have been given a second chance?' The question made her look at her love who is currently sleeping and dried tear marks are now adorning his cheeks

'No, I won't. Cause I know I love him and for that, I can't make him lose his love. I want him to be loved as I would love him' Her words expressed her innocence and her love towards Vandiyadevan who didn't reciprocate the same feeling.

As she turned and looked at the person who question her and smiled. 'Would you?' Her question made Aditha stop thinking.

'What would I?' asked Aditha, hoping to see what she is implying.

'Would you change things if you had been given a second chance, for your love?' She asked smiling sadly,

With deep breaths, Aditha replied closing his eyes and smiling sadly 'I would'  he answered.

He is imagining his life with his Nandhini if he could able to change the things he did if given a chance.

She smiled and softly caressed Vandiyadevan's hair, all he felt is the air moving his hair.

From that day onwards it is Mani who guarded him and everyone important to him, she is his secret angel who looked after him, as he lived his life with Kundavai and started a family of his own. She played with their child and waited for him to enter the afterlife. She knew that her life purpose is to be with him and by him. After all, he is hers, as much as she is his, even though the world says otherwise.

Aval - is his heart string that connects his life.

@harinishivaa   @thelekhikawrites @nspwriteups @whippersnappersbookworm​ @willkatfanfromasia​ @hollogramhallucination @vibishalakshman​   @celestesinsight​   @arachneofthoughts   @freeunknownwasteland   @yehsahihai  @curiousgalacticsoul​ -> Let me know your thoughts guys.

[thereader-radhika]

The Effort of Appearing Effortless

“That’s great. Why don’t we all try to lure the Prince? Whatever Vanathi is trying to do we will also do - I mean the game of seduction. I think we can do better than that timid girl. We don’t lack anything.”

There are a bunch of princesses in Kundavai's retuine who were sent to Pazhayarai in the hopes that Adithan or at least Arulmozhi would marry them. Even if neither marry them, they will acquire life-skills necessary for a noble woman, a reputation as the friend of Kundavai and become valuable commodities in the marriage market.

When we meet them, they have become extremely toxic versions of themselves, competing like dogs fighting for a single piece of meat. Kundavai finds them worthless after grooming them and they are left to become her sidekicks in her singing , dancing and most importantly, the training of the future Empress and Dowager Vanathi.

Vanathi joined Kundavai's gang only a year before the story begins and her 'good character' has convinced Kundavai that she is the best match for Arulmozhi. How come Vanathi is good-natured while her own protégés are greedy and manipulative? She wasn't brought up in this toxic situation because she was staying with her widowed father who was really fond of her.

Later, we meet Sambuvarayar's daughter Manimekalai who too doesnt care about marriage alliances. Sambuvarayar got some crooked ideas about her marriage around the time of that midnight meeting, but she was brought up with great affection in Kadambur itself and was all set to marry a landless warrior before her family got different plans.

Though she wasn't brought up in a royal palace, knowing about Sundara Cholan's treatment of her aunt made Poonkuzhali very bitter. After that, she had to deal with Kundavai's patronising attitude concealed as magnanimity and see the prince being friendly and growing close to Vanathi. Her goading prompted Vanathi to declare that she won't hold official positions, which sealed the deal.

These women lost out in the game of appearing effortless. If you want something subjective and uncertain, you are supposed to behave like you don't want it and don't care about it but will ace it anyway. Otherwise, you will be considered a miserable try hard. I am sure many people experience such rejections even now.

Fictional stories about the 'chosen one' (PS too can be included in this category) have played a great role in propogating the myth of effortless efficiency. Imagine everyone telling you that a particular thing is the purpose of your existence, working hard to achieve that and then learning that someone else achieved it because they are 'effortless' , 'destined', 'chosen' and you were 'too desperate'.

Perhaps the training given by Kundavai was lacking. Older and experienced ladies like Sembiyan Madevi and Vanamadevi were occupied with other concerns. After all, she too is a young lady who is clueless about the matters of heart. Buddha's wife Yashodhara made her husband who mastered all the senses come all the way to her room even after his renunciation by refusing to go to him.

What would have happened to the girls like Niravathi, Tharaka, Varini, Mandakini (not that Mandu), and Senthiru ? Arulmozhi or Senthan would have married some of them and they'd have recieved the 'consolation prize'. Others would have married vassal princes like Kandan Maran. Eventually most of them would have sent their daughters to the capital again, continuing this vicious cycle.

[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.

.

.

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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.

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.

.

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.

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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.

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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.

[alwaysthesideofwonder]

When Manimegalai points out she has a knife, you really should take her seriously…

[indiaglitztamil]

Renowned chef Damu shares exclusive details about why Manimegalai left Cooku with Comali. If you're a fan of the show, you won't want to miss this inside scoop!