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Karikalan meandered slowly along the walkways on top of the fortress ramparts, searching for his wayward brother. Vandhiyathevan will wake up soon. He needed to have a few important conversations before he could face that dear man.
A small part of his mind appreciated the fortifications, but Karikalan preferred the divine beauty of Pazhaiyarai over the overbearing Thanjavur fortress. Probably had something to do with the people who occupied the fortress.
In the distance, he saw Arulmozhi seated on the parapet, his legs dangling and gaze fixed at the horizon. As much as he loved and adored his little brother, Karikalan had trouble understanding his quiet, contemplative nature, a sharp contrast to his own restless temperament. But Karikalan had found his mind quietened these days. Life had tempered him.
His feet had carried him to his brother as he pondered their differences and similarities. Arulmozhi’s eyes found him first, his head lazily following his gaze as his face brightened with a happy smile.
Karikalan found it much easier to smile back. It was always easy with Arulmozhi.
“Enna Anna? Did the vaidhiyar chase you away again?”
He took everything back. This know-it-all brat doesn’t make anything easy.
Karikalan humphed and crossed his arms.
“Adhellaam ondrum illai!”
Arulmozhi’s face was still lit up with a roguish grin as he turned to gaze at the sprawling Thanjavur once again. Karikalan joined him on the parapet and took in the view. The gentle afternoon sun had bathed the whole city in a golden colour. Their industrious people were going about their daily lives, and the streets and markets were alive with noise.
This is the sight that he has always wanted to protect. He had never minded going to war. As young as he was when he first picked up the sword in defence of his motherland, his hands never shook, and his heart never faltered. This sight, this land, his brother and sister, even her…
But now, Karikalan is coming to realise that maybe a sword isn’t the only way to protect something. He was tired of being only a soldier. As he breathed in the scent of sun-warmed stones, Arulmozhi’s voice broke through the silence.
“What are you thinking about, Anna?”
“I’m thinking… that my mani magudam doesn’t fit me anymore.”
Arulmozhi hums, waiting patiently for him to continue. Karikalan gathered his thoughts and soldiered on.
“Arulmozhi, would you be disappointed with me if I gave up the crown?”
Arulmozhi turned to look at him then, searching his face to divine some explanation for this drastic question.
Karikalan doesn’t know what he found, but he took heart when Arulmozhi smiled.
“Only a little sad that the Chozha crown will not get to rest on the head of the finest and bravest tiger. But Anna, I could never be disappointed. If letting go of the crown will give you peace and happiness, then I will support you.”
“Besides,” he continued, with a sardonic smile, “it’s not as if there is no one else to claim it. Some might be very eager for it.”
Karikalan heaved a sigh of relief. Arulmozhi may be younger than him, but his little brother has grown up to be his source of strength.
“May I ask what led you to make this decision?” Arulmozhi turned away again, a gentle bid to give him the space to answer.
“When I was made the crown prince, it seemed like such an obvious choice. No one said a word against it until…” Karikalan swallowed and took a fortifying breath here, “Until Nandhini instigated Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar. Now, I realise that it was not obvious after all. Madhuranthakan does have a legitimate claim.”
“Is that the real reason?”
Karikalan closes his eyes. He would not allow the tears to fall.
“Being the crown prince has taken so much from me. I don’t think I have much left to give.”
Arulmozhi leaned against him, silently lending his support. Karikalan turned to look at him and leaned back against his side.
“You told me that you would support me if renouncing the crown would give me peace. But Thambi, I don’t think I am meant to attain peace in this life.”
Arulmozhi, his calm, collected and wise little brother, had tears running down his cheeks.
“You may not be able to believe or imagine it now, Anna. But I think you are already on the path to the peace that you are looking for.”
“Oh? Has my little brother become an astrologer in the time I have not seen him?”
The brothers turned away to wipe their tears. Arulmozhi let out a wet giggle.
“Absolutely! I have become a marvellous astrologer. I foresee you letting your dear baby sister and brother support you. They will never let you go. You will have no choice but to be happy and at peace.”
Karikalan’s answering laugh was a tentative, incredulous thing.
“And,” Arulmozhi continued with a cheeky grin, “I hear there is a Vaanar Kula veeran who will gladly do everything to make his prince smile.”
Karikalan's laughter turned to a glare. A glare that would’ve sent enemies running, but only made Arulmozhi laugh with delight.
“Be quiet, cheeky brat! And don’t think I don’t know about your gentle princess. I heard that you raced to be the one to catch her when she fainted last week.”
“I didn’t know that the news reached you all the way in the Vaidhiyar Arai.”
A tussle, completely unbefitting of the princes of the famed Chola dynasty, followed. As the princes grappled and grabbed at each other, laughter they had not known in recent years decorated their beaming faces. Up there on the ramparts, under the open sky, they were not princes and generals – just two brothers.