As soon as she heard footsteps outside, Poonguzhali walked towards the door of that small hut. Sensing that she was about to leave him and go away forever, Sendhan Amudhan let out a deep sigh. As she made her way towards the threshold, he felt as though his very soul was about to depart his body and follow her.

Poonguzhali opened the door slightly, peered outside, then closed it again and bolted it. Sendhan Amudhan watched her actions with wonder. What was this strange behavior? Not only had she bolted the door, but she was now turning back towards him!

Had her heart softened, even a little? But what if it had? Even if she did relent, she would only continue to lecture him—insisting that he must become a hero, seize the kingdom, ascend the throne, and rule as king. Her heart was like a storm-tossed sea, ever agitated by the winds of worldly desires. His own heart, by contrast, was like a tranquil pond, serene and content in the bliss of devotion to Lord Shiva. The small ripples that had disturbed his peace were caused by her alone. There would never be a day when Poonguzhali and he could truly come together. What was the use of indulging in such futile dreams?

When Poonguzhali came near, she gazed at him with her lotus-like eyes. Sendhan Amudhan’s heart faltered.

“Why did you bolt the door? Who was it outside? Was it my mother, perhaps? Or someone else?” Amudhan asked.

“Whoever it is, let them wait a while. Let them remain outside until our conversation is finished. When a king and queen are speaking in private, no one should interrupt them, should they?” she replied.

“King and queen! Who is the king? Who is the queen?” Amudhan stammered.

“You are the king; I am the queen! Did nothing I said all this while ever sink into your heart?”

“No, Poonguzhali! I told you, there is no use in you trying to instruct me. Your heart and mine are utterly different; they will never become one!” said Amudhan.

“It is up to us to make them one,” said Poonguzhali.

“That is an impossible task!” “If you cannot do it, I can. Amudha! I have made up my mind. I have abandoned the thought of marrying the royal prince and ascending the throne. I have given up palace life and royal pleasures. Compared to palace life and royal luxuries, your love is a thousand times greater to me. Since you refuse to come my way, I shall come yours. I will marry you…”

Senthan Amudhan was overcome with ecstasy. “Poonguzhali! Poonguzhali! I am not feverish now, am I? I am not dreaming, am I? The words you just spoke did not fall wrongly upon my ears, did they? I have not misunderstood you, have I?” he asked.

“I will say it once more, listen! Since you refuse to come my way, I have resolved to come yours. I will marry you. The things I learned about my elder aunt’s life had kindled vain desires in my heart. Because I often thought she deserved to sit on the throne, a longing arose in me too—why should I not ascend the throne? When my aunt died by the spear of a murderer, my own desires died with her. I came to know the sufferings and sorrows of those who live in the palace. I realized that a life spent joyfully rowing a boat on the rolling sea could never compare to palace life. Amudha! When your health is restored, we shall go to Kodikkarai. There, in the temple in the midst of the forest, the Kuzhagar is alone, with no one to assist him. The two of us will do flower service to the Kodikkarai Kuzhagar. Sometimes, we will board a boat and sail the sea. There are so many lovely islands on the edge of Eelam. Sometimes, we will land on one of those islands. There, you shall be king and I shall be queen. No one will come to contest that kingdom. Amudha! You have no objection to all this, do you?”

“Only one objection, Poonguzhali! Only the doubt whether I am worthy of such great fortune. Are you truly saying all this? You are not saying it just to plunge me into some great disappointment later, are you? No, no! You are speaking the truth. When shall we leave for Kodikkarai?”

“As soon as your health is restored, we can depart.”

“My health is already restored, Poonguzhali! If you wish, I can get up and walk right now, see?” Saying so, Senthan Amudhan tried to rise.

Poonkuzhali held his hand, preventing him from rising, and said, “No, not yet. Just wait for one more day!”

At that moment, the sound of someone lightly knocking on the door was heard. “Mother is knocking at the door—open it! Let us tell her this joyful news,” said Amudan.

Poonkuzhali went and opened the door. The sight that greeted her at the threshold surprised her somewhat.

It was not Vaani Amma, as she had expected, who had knocked. It seemed likely that one of the palace attendants had knocked on the door. As soon as the door was opened, the attendant stepped aside.

Beyond him stood Sembiyan Maadevi and Prince Madurantakan. A little farther away, two palanquins had been set down. The palanquin bearers and guards stood beneath the trees. In the light of a torch held by one of them, Poonkuzhali saw all this. She bowed her head before Sembiyan Maadevi and said, “Mother, please come in!”

“How is your aunt’s son feeling, Poonkuzhali? Where is Vaani Amma?” asked the venerable Emperumatti, daughter of Mazhavaraya, as she entered the hut.

Madurantakan remained outside. Yet his eyes, brimming with anger, gazed eagerly into the hut. When Sendhan Amudan realized that the visitor was none other than the foremost devotee of Shiva, Sembiyan Maadevi, who had granted them protection and endowments, he too rose to his feet.