Grey
Years ago, when the master musician brought the air alive, the magic of the flute touched the Blind Prince’s heart. He cried, as a never-felt-before emotion gripped him. The floodgates opened where the light never reached, and he wept and he laughed and he gave no reason.
It was the happiest day of his life… until today.
Today, the spell in the air was much more potent.
Today, he was filled with unadulterated joy.
Today, a princess had agreed to marry him.
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In another castle, in a faraway country, the Young Princess was deaf to the drumbeats.
Years ago, a travelling storyteller had narrated the tale of a young girl married to a goat and sacrificed to save the kingdom. In her heart, she knew she was the girl and she was the goat; she was the story and the story was her and the knowledge made her hide in her room and cry through the night.
It was the saddest day of her life… until today.
Today, the glamour shattered at her feet.
Today, she was one with darkness.
“Your groom is blind,” her brother revealed.
A single teardrop wet the mehndi that was refusing to dry.
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Meanwhile on the roof of the castle’s tallest tower, the Young Prince was huddled in a corner, unable to move.
Three days ago, the Crown Prince of the mightiest kingdom in the east wanted to marry his sister.
Today, she’s the Blind Man’s bride.
Wedding or War, they said, and their father chose the former.
They gave her no choice, so she made her own.
Today, his precious little sister adopted a blindfold, never to take it off.
In another castle, there was a dynasty that had snatched away his happiness.
In another age, the Young Prince swore, he would exact retribution.
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A/N: This is inspired by the story of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari from the epic Mahabharat. Should the prince be automatically 'ineligible' just because he's blind? But then should the princess be 'convinced' to marry a stranger without any knowledge of a major part of his life? Gandhari's brother, Shakuni, is believed to have plotted the great war just to take revenge on the Kuru clan -- but is he just a loving brother, more than an evil mastermind?
Oh, and this is an entry for Week 3 of therealljidol. Do leave a comment -- constructive criticism is welcome!
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