Hearing Vanathi’s words, mingled with the sound of her laughter, the prince too laughed as he climbed down from the elephant.

“Ah! Mounting an elephant is a most difficult task. It is much like ascending the royal throne. Climbing onto the elephant is hard; sitting atop it is harder still! But descending from it is the hardest of all. Yet, at times, one must endure such hardships!” said Ponniyin Selvan.

“Some endure that hardship even for the most trivial reasons. There are those who mount an elephant and come rushing just to save a nest of baby birds!” said Vanathi.

“Do you still remember that incident, Vanathi? Since you have never spoken of it until now, I thought you might have forgotten!” said the prince.

“Those who roam the world and engage in many brave deeds may forget. But what else is there for a foolish girl who stays within the palace to do, except to remember? I still recall the day you came riding on the elephant; I remember when I said I was a girl from Kodumbalur, and you frowned and turned away!”

“There was a reason for that then, Vanathi!”

“That reason still exists, my lord! You are the son of the emperor who rules the world; Ponniyin Selvan, the jewel of Chozha Nadu. And I—was born and raised in a remote, wild region. A princess of a minor chieftain’s clan; and even among them, the orphaned daughter of one who died in battle!…”

“Vanathi! You do me an injustice! You speak words that are unfair! Let it be, let it be! I must hurry to Thanjai! Tell me quickly—how did you come here? Why did you come alone? Did you really float here atop a thatched roof? Why did this girl come here? How did she get caught in such mortal peril?…”

“I am glad that you remembered I am standing here alone. If you give me a moment to speak with you privately, I will say what I must and leave at once!” said Poonkuzhali. At that moment, as the two women stood face to face before the prince, an extraordinary courage and boldness seemed to possess them.

“Daughter of the Ocean! Did you think I had forgotten you? How could that ever be? Was it not you who, when I called and called, silently rowed the boat forward without so much as a word in reply? How could I ever forget the sight of you, who came in such haste, swaying between the tree branch and the open jaws of the crocodile? I shall remember that as long as I live!” said the prince, and laughed.

“And I can never forget the predicament in which Vanathi clung to you, unable to lift you up or let you go. But how did the two of you come here? For what reason? One of you, tell me quickly!”

“Ponniyin Selva! Both I and your noble sister have come to prevent you from being stopped on your