A/N: This is an AU with a what if that was playing ping pong in my head and well... not intended to cause any offense. And OOC characters so consider warned. My first Mahabharata fic so please spare me for any mistakes!
AU: What if Karna, Arjuna and Ekalavya became friends (sort of)
It was nearing dusk and everyone started to retire after a long day of learning and practicing so no one noticed one of them sneaking out away from the group, into the forest with something in his hands.
The boy moved silently, keeping an eye out in all directions just in case someone was following him and sighed in relief when he found none. He journeyed through tall trees, stumbling on the roots as the forest darkened rapidly, his mind just focusing on the destination and the events of the day.
He soon reached a cave and prayed that the person he was searching for would be there as he headed in, trying not to make much noise in case the person was asleep.
"What are you doing here prince?" asked the person, his voice echoing around the cave, creating an eerie feeling. "Guru did a great injustice to you" the boy stated bluntly as he followed the voice.
"Guru didn't commit any crime. He asked his dakshina and I offered it to him." they said but didn't sound as convinced. "Don't try to lie about it Ekalavya, we both know that while you were happy to give away your thumb, it also crushed you. I just bought some medicines and food. And no, I am not saying that you are weak... I just feel guilty for Guru Drona's actions because one of the major causes was me" Arjuna said guiltily as he set down the banana leaf packet.
"Why do you care?" Ekalavya asked in a voice mixed with curiosity and bitterness. "I still believe that you can become a master archer. I want you to prove him wrong." Arjuna said.
"But why? I know he intends to make you the best archer and move any thorn on his path to achieve that and you are his favourite pupil but..." he trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"What he did today... it just makes me feel like he doesn't trust me to come up on my own... and while I do want to become the greatest archer of Aryavarta, at the same time I want it to be because of my own hard work... I want it to be because of my effort and not because Guru Drona took away the thorns off my side..." Arjuna trailed off, struggling to find his words as his voice cracked.
"You want competition?" he asked bluntly. "Maybe yeah... if there is none, then how will I know whether I am the best or not? Ok, will you give me permission to treat the wound? I might not be as great as my brothers but I know enough to clean a wound and wrap it up so that it won't become septic" Arjuna said, looking at Ekalavya and he shrugged and reached out his hand.
The silence engulfed them comfortably as Arjuna treated the wound with at most concentration and Ekalavya took this as his chance to look at Arjuna closely and properly. Here was a pampered prince, a teacher's pet and probably surrounded with all the riches and love in the world but still wants to come up with his own merit... probably a pride which is justified too... but then why...?
"Wondering about why this pampered prince is sitting here with you? No, I don't read minds but this is predictable. Sometimes I feel soo smothered in love that I don't know how to get out of it... at times that love is taken to an extreme that I find it uncomfortable, like today. And then there is also the fact that I am usually over shadowed by my brothers and cousins and that in itself wants me to prove that I can stand on my own..." Arjuna said with a shrug as he finished wrapping the cloth around the stub.
"I would advise you to not move the hand for a few days, no strenuous jobs too. I will visit you everyday, whenever I can and will bring you some food and change the bandage. After you heal, we will practice until you are as good as you were before" Arjuna said with a smile as he handed over the food packet.
3 days later
Karna was just randomly wandering through the forest, trying to figure out what to do and how to extract his revenge when he heard the thwap of an arrow hitting a target. Curious as to who will be practicing archery at this hour, he made his way towards the sound.
"Still unfair! Can't one train if he is skilled? He might not be of the right caste but he is still skilled right?" the voice said, sounding really frustrated as another thwap sounded.
"This is not only about the caste issue prince. This is also about the fact that he is a Rajaguru. Which means he will only train the kshatriyas of a particular kingdom, not anyone else, just like he rejected me" a deeper voice reasoned calmly.
"Not the point 'Lavya. And how many times do I have to ask you to call me by my name? Titles and all don't matter to me. But what he did was still unfair, both to you and to him." the prince stated. Was he one of Drona's students? Why does he sound this... upset about this matter?
"Let it be Arjuna. Each one has their own reasons. We can't be questioning everything in life. Sometimes we have to take things as it is without any questions. And don't wear yourself out. The target already looks like a porcupine, we don't want to destroy it now, do we?" Ekalavya said and Karna just blinked in shock.
In his thoughts, he forgot to thread carefully and stepped on at stick and it creaked quite loudly, shattering the quiet of the night. Moments later he had two arrows by the side of his head and one near his foot. Footsteps rushing towards him and he panicked, not knowing what to do.
"Oh, hello there? Karna right?" Ekalavya asked. "You guys really need to learn to sneak around. Do you know how loud you guys talk and practice?" he snarked.
"I can say the same about you too... you need more practice in moving stealthily." Arjuna snarked back. "Well... I wasn't trying to actually be stealthy. What are you doing this late?" Karna asked.
"Practicing with him. He needs a companion right now..." Arjuna replied, pointing at Ekalavya's thumb. "What happened?" Karna asked in concern. "Injustice, again." Arjuna said, rolling his eyes.
"He's always like that, ignore him. Guru Drona asked for guru dakshina and I gave it, that's all." "And it was an unfair demand for you" Arjuna retorted. "Well... you are helping me out anyways now. I'll be back in form in no time" he said, rolling his eyes.
"You can shoot with that hand?" Karna asked in shock. "Want to compete and test it out?" he replied as he readied the bow. Karna shrugged and raised his hand, showing that he was unarmed and Arjuna promptly threw his bow at him.
"The target will be that tree stump in the distance. The one who strikes closer to the middle wins" he declared as he marked a point on the stump. The two contestants readied themselves and aimed before firing. Both the arrows veered off course and ended up on the other side of the middle line but Arjuna smiled as he took his bow back.
"Tied. But not a bad try at all, considering that one of you is currently relearning to shoot without their thumb and the other is I think not accustomed to shooting in the dark?" he asked. "As if you can do it?" Karna scoffed and Arjuna just raised an eyebrow as he readied the bow and fired and it ended up just a bit off the mark.
"Need to practice more, I know that but do you believe me now?" he asked Karna just nodded thoughtfully. "What are you going to do now?" Ekalavya asked.
"In search for another teacher who will be willing to teach me, if I am lucky" Karna said with a shrug. He just hummed in response before smiling. "Will you be willing to join me for a few days? Arjuna just said he wouldn't be able to visit me as often as people are growing a bit suspicious and I really could use some help... I mean, I can take care of myself very well but this mother hen wouldn't let me soo..." Ekalavya said with a shrug.
Karna just thought about the proposition for a while before nodding. It gave him some time to ponder about what he was going to do later on too... it was not a bad suggestion over all...
"Ok then... time to head back. I know it is a lot sooner than usual but I really need to lay down till their suspicions nullify a bit... sucks to have expectations" he muttered as he shouldered his bow and took some of the arrows off so that it could be returned to their places.
"Don't worry, I won't leave him alone here. I will stay with him at least until he is well enough to travel on his own." Karna reassured as he placed a hand over Ekalavya's shoulder. Arjuna nodded with a smile and took off, praying that he will make it in time.
The days passed and Ekalavya and Karna bonded as they helped each other improve their archery and exchanged anecdotes about their lives. Arjuna managed to sneak in every alternative day or two and practiced with them after taking a look at the stub that once was Ekalavya's thumb.
"It is all healed. Just take care not to strain it for a few days and all will be well" he said as he unwrapped the bandage for one last time. Ekalavya just brushed a finger across it and winced as it stung as the skin was still a little sensitive.
"I might have to move on from here and head back..." Ekalavya started slowly. "Same... I have decided to try my luck with Lord Parashurama and hope that he will take me in" Karna said hesitantly.
"But we will keep in touch right? And I heard that he only teaches brahmins..." Arjuna said. "I know but... I guess I will have to try and see anyways. What if he does accepts me?" Karna said hopefully. Arjuna just stared hard at him before sighing.
"Don't try to lie your way in if you can. It might end up disastrous if you get caught in the act. And you know, you have my mother's eyes" Arjuna commented absently and Karna blinked in confusion at this observation. "And why bring it up now?" he asked. "Just like that... I don't know why I said that..." he said with a shrug.
"But yes, we'll try to keep in touch." Ekalavya said with a smile. "And you owe me a duel" Karna said and Arjuna nodded. "I do owe you one duel. And I promise that you'll get it, unless Guru Drona decides to interfere, again" he said moodily. The bid their farewells and parted, knowing not when they will meet again.
A/N: This is a book of OS. If you want me to expand any one of them, please do express yourselves in the comments and I'll see what I can do :)
My update schedule will definitely be erratic as I post whenever I pen down ideas so... yeah, don't expect me to keep a fixed schedule. But I will try my best to sneak in a fic or two per month, I promise.
Hope you all liked it! All comments and criticism accepted and appreciated! Prompts and suggestions are welcome!
Thank you all for reading!
Rasi10 signing off
Published on 16 July 2020