It had been 5 days since the eight had all gotten married, and Dasharath was becoming impatient. So after a hilariously long message sent to Raja Janak, narrating the tales of his woes, how much he missed his sons, and how longing he was to see his daughter-in-laws, and finishing with an angry "You're hogging my family Janak, and I shall never forget this in my entire lifetime!" Janak reluctantly let his daughters, nieces, and son-in-laws go back to their home; Ayodhya, Kosala.

Now they stood outside, all very comfortable in their new positions as man and wife. "I wonder when that elephant is coming. I could have walked to Ayodhya by now." Shatrughan cried out, jumping up and down. Urmila amusedly stared as her own husband drummed his feet on the ground impatiently. "Or, even if I couldn't have, you would have carried me Lakshman, and even slowed down by your burden, I still would have made it." Everyone laughed as Lakshman took a deep, nasal breath.

"You know what?" Shatrughan sighed. "I'm actually contemplating it. Ayodhya is only, what, 50 miles south?" Lakshman turned towards him, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah sure. What's 50 miles? If Shatrughan didn't talk, and there were absolutely no demons, then I might actually make it." Then he snorted. "Well we know those two things aren't happening, so no." the entire family descended into laughter.

A loud trumpet sounded, rudely interrupting their laughing session as heads turned up and Bharat gaped. "That elephant is larger than anything I've ever seen." hissed Shatrughan, as the assembled couples stared at the approaching gargantuan monster, who was also seemingly smiling and twirling its trunk in a manner that was so cute that even Lakshman felt an urge to go ahead and hug the creature.

"Come on," huffed Ram, and after a few minutes, each of the couples were on their own elephant, being able to see a good distance. Ram and SIta had gotten the largest one, a proud elephant named 'Raja". Ram laughed greatly at the name, realizing that his father was pushing him further to become coronated. Sita simply smiled at his regal demeanor.

Bharat and Mandavi received a slow, but steady elephant named 'Nitya'. It was a kind one, who always liked to swing her trunk, and never teetered like some of the others, especially Raja, did. Bharat was quite happy, as he could see all of the mountains and fields nearby without ever having to worry about falling off and being crushed by elephant feet.

Lakshman and Urmila had gotten an intimidating elephant named "Yudhajit". Urmila had face-palmed at the name, as Lakshman blinked, wondering how many wars the elephant had gone into, but in real life, the elephant seemed quite like Urmila herself, always trumpeting and interrupting everyone's words. Ram had joked that she had found her spirit animal, before being interrupted by a trumpet.

Shatrughan and Shrutakirti got a plump, almost round elephant named "Ladoo". Shrutakirti had burst into laughter at the name as Shatrughan pouted at finding an opponent which could make his wife laugh harder than he could. Ladoo was quite a good mix of them in demeanour, always smiling, and he loved sweets and food. Ladoo walked almost like a waddle, but still seemed just as royal as the rest of them, only perhaps a bit younger.

"Doesn't everything seem so nice from up above? Such a height seems to bring us only a little bit closer to heaven. I can practically touch the clouds, it feels as if we're swimming in them. Don't you think, Kirti?" Shatrughan asked, reaching his hands up as if he could touch the white, cotton like lumps in the sky. Shrutakirti gulped, looking down as if almost queasy.

"No, no. Shatru, I'm scared. What if I fall? I'll be crushed by the back legs of the elephant! I'll get broken bones! No, no, I'm very scared. Nothing is nice from up here, only the view. And I could get a view from a balcony." she sniffled as she scooted a bit closer to Shatrughan clutching tightly onto his arm. Shatrughan winced, nodding, and wrapped an arm around her, trying to be comforting.

"Don't worry, you won't fall! I'm here, aren't I? I have the best strength among my brothers, that's what, well, I'm sure somebody says." Shrutakirti smiled. "Well, you definitely have the best optimism." Shatrughan beamed. "Yes, that's great! Maa Sumitra says that too, you know, your new mother-in-law? She's really nice, you'll love her!" Shrutakirti nodded, swallowing hard and vowing not to look down.

Sita's heart hammered as they reached ever closer to Ayodhya. "Ram?" she murmured. Her husband looked towards her immediately, wondering what was troubling his wife. She swallowed hard again, looking around, and feeling a little scared. "What if your father and mothers, what if-they don't like me? Maybe-" Ram put a finger on her lips, shaking his head good-naturedly and attempting to reassure her.

"Sita, I'm sure they'll fall in love with you just as quickly as I did. You are kind, calm, mature, smart, good-natured, honest, humble, and everything else they could every wish for in a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and a wife, a queen, and everything else. Maa Kaushalya is very accepting. Maa Kaikeyi pampers us to no end. Maa Sumitra is understanding and supportive. You'll love all three of them, and they'll love you!"

Sita nodded hesitantly, trying not to let her disbelief show. "And father always wanted me to marry someone exactly like you. Beautiful and kind, he said. You are beautiful and kind." Ram turned towards her again, placing a finger under her chin and tilting her face up. "Besides," he whispered calmly. "If they don't, I still will love you. If they don't, they'll have gone crazy! If they don't, they'll have to go past me to get to you!" Sita grinned.

"And what's the palace like? And your mother, which one was it? Maa Sumitra, isn't it? Yes, Maa Sumitra. And what's your father like? And your other two mothers? What's the citizens like? And will they object to being painted?" Lakshman opened his mouth widely, then closed, turning towards her with wide eyes.

"I-I didn't know you painted. Well, they're all nice, they will love you, and it was always a little quiet in the palace." he smiled at her. "I think the citizens love Ram, and they love Bharat's paintings, so they won't object to being painted." he frowned for a second. "My father always is a little busy though, so don't take some of his words too harshly." Urmila nodded, turning back out. "Oh, and don't take some of the things the citizens do too weirdly either." he stated, wincing. Urmila wondered what he meant by that.

Finally, the golden gates of Ayodhya were visible, thrown wide open in glad welcome. Sita's eyes widened comically as she was able to make out the sheer number of people crowded around the pathway for the elephants, throwing flowers into the road and cheering so loudly that townspeople miles away would be able to hear. It was intimidating, to say the least, if not completely disarming how much they loved their royalty.

"Yuvraj Ram and Rajkumari Sita!" cried out the announcer, and waving cheerfully, Ram's elephant strolled in. Sita froze for a moment, before waving again. It came naturally to her as she graciously smiled, and to her utmost relief, the citizens' cheering only grew louder, no scrutinizing eyes studying her judgmentally, only large smiles and open hearts. The elephant paused right in front of the gates of the palace.

"Rajkumar Bharat and Rajkumari Mandavi!" again came the loud announcement, and Bharat and Mandavi paraded in this time. Mandavi was confident as always, and waved excitedly, as Bharat seemed a little bit more subdued. Some of the people smiled at the contrast and chemistry between the two.

"Rajkumar Lakshman and Rajkumari Urmila!" The cheering suddenly quieted down a little, as in a lot as many people stopped, and Urmila frowned, not hurt, just curious, turning towards Lakshman in confusion, who looked flabbergasted and completely bewildered as the cheering died down.

"I-I don't know!" he whispered. "Maybe they don't like me anymore?" he frowned at the thought, before shaking it off. He wasn't going to be the king, it didn't matter if he was well-liked or not! Urmila, however, rolled her eyes, and shook her head, declaring loudly, "No, they still like you, I'm sure. I don't know why they wouldn't like me unless they just don't like my name." she sent Lakshman a meaningful look. "They've just, LOST THEIR VOICES FROM CHEERING SO LOUDLY FOR US THAT THEIR VOCAL CHORDS GAVE OUT, ISN'T THAT RIGHT?!" Shatrughan, behind them, lost it, bursting into laughter.

After Shatrughan and Shrutakirti were duly welcomed, the couples stepped off of the elephants and stood before Dasharath, who beamed tearily back at them, his mouth spread into a wide, happy smile. "Oh, Ram! It's so good to see you again! I hadn't seen you for, what, 2 months?" he rushed forwards with a speed that no elderly man possessed.

Ram was quickly engulfed in a large hug, followed by Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughan. "Come on, come on! It's very exciting to meet you all. You must be Rajkumari Sita, it's a pleasure honestly, Ram chose well. Your humbleness and truthfulness is spread across the land! And beauty too, though the actual beauty lies on the inside does it not?" Dasharath cried out, practically dancing.

The queens rushed out, all three of them looking urgent and excited. Rani Kaushalya, chief queen, perhaps only a single silvery hair more than the last time Ram saw her, smiled at the entire scene, walking elegantly forward and hugging her son. She then calmly turned to Sita, her thin lips spreading into such a gracious smile that Sita felt her worries flying away from her like escaping birds.

"Sita is it?" she drew her close and hugged her warmly. "Welcome. Ayodhya is a wonderful place, don't be intimidated by my animated husband. He's just joking, of course." Sita liked her the best already. She turned towards Mandavi. "Hopefully Bharat is treating you well, always has been a little too attracted to his paints!" Mandavi giggled. "Ah, Urmila and Shrutakirti. You all have a handful between you." Shatrughan pretended to be annoyed as Lakshman gaped in fake surprise.

"On the contrary madame, the complete contrary!" Shatrughan cried. "These two are the real handful! You should see when Shrutakirti stole those sweets!" Shrutakirti clapped a hand on his mouth as Urmila laughed and Mandavi gaped at the scene. "Mff-It's true!" Shatrughan managed to cry out again.

Kaushalya shook her head. "Well, in that case, you two are the perfect match." She was quickly pushed gently aside by Rani Kaikeyi. Mandavi noticed one single thing. She was the youngest, most beautiful among the queens, youthful, lean, and fair. She smiled, her eyes searching between them for someone. Finally, they landed on Ram. "Oh Ram! We were going crazy without you!" She blessed him before hugging him as well. "Oh honestly, why didn't you tell us you were getting married? A letter, at least? Raja Janak told us before you, and we all know how he likes to hog information, so I wonder when you actually were betrothed, to-ah! This lovely darling!" Kaikeyi smiled calmly at Sita.

As she turned towards Mandavi, who was her real daughter-in-law, Sita felt a bit weird. It was a bit chilly, how she had said her name, but no one else seemed to have noticed anything as Kaikeyi conversed excitedly with Mandavi, informing her playfully of all of Bharat's most embarrassing childhood moments while the steadily reddening prince stood off to the side. Ram had mentioned that the queens didn't show favoritism towards them, but it seemed as if that wasn't the case for the wives.

Finally, Rani Sumitra stepped forward. With curly, reddish brown hair, and large, soft eyes, she seemed to be the kindest among them all. "Has Mithila treated you well, Ram? I heard the skies there were wonderful!" she hugged him before turning towards Sita, hugging her as well. "You are very fortunate, dear, to have grown up there. It must be so nice to live in a place with such amazing scenery." she sighed wistfully before turning towards her in a playful fashion. "Of course, not that Ayodhya doesn't have good views as well. Who doesn't want to see a hustling, busting, crowded market in the dawn?" Sita smiled.

"Mandavi, right?" Mandavi received a hug as well. "Good Bharat found a wife. I hope you like being painted, because that's all he is going to do with you." Bharat groaned, placing his head in his hands. Finally, with an even wider smile, Sumitra turned towards Urmila and Shrutakirti, who both loved her the most at first sight.

"Lakshman, a mother is never wrong. Remember when I told you that you would find a wife, and you denied it?" Lakshman scratched the back of his head, as Sumitra hugged Urmila meaningfully tight. "Don't worry about the quiet cheers. Nobody else expected Lakshman to marry either. They were quite shocked at the development." Everyone burst into laughter as Sumitra drew Urmila slightly closer to her. "Besides," she whispered. "Lakshman has always been a heartthrob for the ladies, he just never has realized it. Don't worry though. You seem fierce, they'll back off." Urmila unconsciously smiled. She gave Shrutakirti a sincere hug, before twisting Shatrughan's ear. "If you do anything unbecoming to this one, I will give you an ear-twisting harder than this, Shatrughan! She's a nice wife."

Sita liked Kaushalya the most for she was elegant, kind, and welcoming, and immediately appealed to her as the perfect wife, queen, and mother, strict, but not too strict, kind, but not lax. Mandavi loved Kaikeyi for she was witty, quick, sharp, and slightly shrewd, but knew all her sons very well, and didn't show favoritism, though none of the queens did. Urmila loved Sumitra for she was sincere and warm, and felt understanding and honest. Shrutakirti loved Sumitra because she was strong, both inside and out, hilarious, and smiling. Each had found appeal in the mother of their husband.

Ram and Sita remained close to each other as Kaushalya sat next to them in the throne room. Kaikeyi sat on the other side of Kaushalya with Bharat and Mandavi. Lakshman and Shatrughan each had a head on Sumitra's shoulders, both asleep, and Shatrughan snoring lightly like a pig, as Urmila and Shrutakirti sat on either side of their husbands. Dasharath sat on the throne, laughing at whatever Mandavi was saying, smiling in the direction of the twins, and constantly glancing at Ram and Sita in excitement. He had noticed Sita's qualities and characteristics. This was the next queen of Kosala.

A/N-They have returned to Kosala! Wow, this is very exciting. I didn't mean for Kaikeyi to come across as so cold, but she did, and I think it's a nice piece of foreshadowing, you know? Kaushalya was portrayed exactly as I want her to be, and Sumitra is a little too funny for my liking, but I like her genuine demeanour. I feel like if somebody new to my story is scrolling through the chapter names, they will feel like this is the return from the vanvas chapter, and will wonder how they got married, exiled, killed Ravan, and returned in one chapter...LOL

This was another transitional chapter. We have moved from the Sita-Swayamvar Era, which I think was one of the longest I've written, to the AyodhyaKand Era. Each era has a feeling about it. The Balkand one was playful, Gurukul was filled with action and drama, Post-Gurukul Palace was diverse, but included a lot of transition from childhood to adulthood, Sita-Swayamvar was quite romantic and fun, and AyodhyaKand, from what I'm thinking, might be a mix of romance and playfulness, and some angst, action, and drama. Hooray for the angst lovers. (Ramayana_lover, I am talking to you directly)

Also, lol, I love how all the transitional chapters have them actually moving from place to place. From Ayodhya to the ashram, from the ashram to Ayodhya, from the ashram to Mithila, and now from Mithila to Ayodhya. Enjoy this era, guys. It's going to end far too soon for Ram, Sita, and Lakshman. :)