The security for the palace had been tightened. Mahendra and Avantika waited in the sidelines for Kattappa to finish giving his instructions and rallying his soldiers.

"Increase the number of guards on patrol duty. I don't want any more slip-ups."

The guards fumbled and flustered as they bowed to the ground to let Mahendra, Avantika and Kattappa pass by.

"Let's go Mahendra. Everyone is waiting for us in the Rajamata's chamber."

They walked in unbroken silence. Kattappa held the door of the chamber for both Mahendra and Avantika. Mahendra went in first. Avantika was about to follow him, when Kattappa cleared his throat. "You saved the day. Thank you. It was my duty to ensure that nothing went wrong but..."

Avantika held Kattappa's hand in hers as she said, "No, don't blame yourself for everything. This is definitely not your fault."

Devasena extended her arms wide to her son and Avantika. "I'm so relieved. Veera and Aditya told me everything just now. How are we going to save the hostages?"

Kattappa said, "If you will give me the permission, I will ride out with an army regiment, Rajamata. It's my fault. I never guessed Athikay was doing all this right beneath my nose."

"Please forgive my folly for interrupting. We will be visible from afar to Athikay and his men. If they see the army approaching, they will start killing all the hostages indiscriminately. It will also give a chance to all of them to escape through the river route." A strangled cry escaped Shivani at the imagined horrors this thought invoked in her mind.

"I have known Athikay since my days as a spy and assassin. He is as slippery as an eel. We used to report directly to Prince Bhadra. He got his dirty work executed using us. At ordinary times, he served as a common soldier in Kattappa's regiment as a cover. His behavior in the regiment used to be impeccable. So I don't blame Kattappa for not seeing through him. Moreover, I suspect that there is someone else who is pulling the strings behind Athikay. We will never know who it is if we let those bastards escape." Shivani wetted her lips and rested her clenched hands on her lap as she waited with bated breath for the others to respond to her arguments.

"In that case, we must have our men near the river too to plug off that escape route", said Veera.

"A night or early morning attack when the visibility is not good might do the trick", Aditya added.

Shivani shook her head. "A night attack won't work. The entire terrain is rigged with deadly traps. The army will not be able to stick to the path and follow the marks I made. More than half the soldiers will be dead by the time they make it to the hideout and all the hostages too."

Avantika wrung her hands in despair. "They want me. I will offer myself up in return for the hostages. I can't think about myself when the lives of so many are at stake."

"Don't you dare!" Mahendra raised a warning finger up against her lips. His voice rumbled deep within his chest. He pinched the spot between his brows with his thumb and index finger. "Wait! What happened to the clothes of those brigands?"

"Still on them I should assume. Nobody here had the time to give them a dress change. But why are you asking?" Aditya's ears perked up.

"I suggest we have a dress change in that case, Aditya." Mahendra's eyes danced with glee and merriment.

"Nice costumes by the way. The Savaran ones. I especially love that snake image on the mask." Veera confessed latching on to Mahendra's idea.

"Rajamata, did you understand anything? What these youngsters talk is beyond my understanding and comprehension."

Devasena shook her head as her lips curled into a soft smile leaving a tiny dimple on the right cheek. "I am not sure even I do, Kattappa. But I trust they will all be alright together ." Kattappa nodded his head in acquiescence.

Mahendra turned to Devasena and said, "We have to leave at the break of dawn."

"Don't worry about anything here. Save the people", Devasena replied.

"Take me along with you, Mahendra. It will lend your ruse a touch of verisimilitude." Avantika wined with a cute pout on her lips.

"Alright Avantika. But you must stay close to me and out of harm's way." Avantika jumped up and down in excitement. She looked towards Devasena who shook her head in approval.

Sanga's feet gave way. She gripped the wooden arm of the plushy Ottoman beside her for support as she collapsed and sobbed. "My son....the marriage... You can't go..."

"Sadly, he must Sanga. For Mahishmati. And for his people." Devasena sat down beside Sanga and wiped her tears as she held her hands.

********************

When the first rays of dawn landed upon the uppermost dome, Mahendra and his regiment were fully ready, waiting near the palace gates. They were all wearing Savaran costumes and masks. Avantika sat in front of Mahendra on the horse. Her cheeks reddened as his hot breath fanned her neck and his arms brushed against hers as he took the reins of the horse. Devasena waved her hand. "We will be waiting for you. Bring everyone safe back home."

Mahendra bowed his head in approval. "With your blessings, we will."

They had covered a lot of ground at a rapid pace. Shivani had no difficulty in following the signs and clues she had left behind. When they reached a gorge, she alighted her horse. She pointed to a tall tower carved out of a huge granite mound. There were no trees or cover surrounding the structure.

Mahendra gestured to Veera and Aditya to wait near the banks of the river flowing behind the tower should Athikay and his men try to escape.

"There is no literally no cover, Mahendra. The hostages will be caught in the crossfire when we launch an attack." Kattappa got down his horse and surveyed the terrain around him. His wooden sandals grated on the hard gravel when they made contact.

"You're right, Thatha", replied Mahendra. He turned to the soldiers riding behind him. "Dig a trench here and camouflage it. We will wait until the hostages are safely in the trench before launching the attack."

"Quietly. We don't want to attract unnecessary attention towards ourself", said Kattappa to the soldiers who were digging.

The trench was dug in record time and the soldiers looked up towards Mahendra after the completion of the task. "Wear your mask. They should not suspect our disguises just as yet." Mahendra covered his face with the mask before he gave a thumbs up to Shivani. She took a deep breath and blew the wind pipe five times.

Athikay and his men peered out before they relaxed seeing the masked men and Shivani along with Avantika whose hands were bound with a thick jute rope.

"I've fulfilled my end of the bargain. Release my sister and the villagers", shouted Shivani.

Athikay gestured his men to bring the hostages outside. "Bring her in along with you, Savaran."

Mahendra led Avantika with his sword held upright beside him as she chaffed at the threads of the rope that bound her. She warned Athikay. "You will pay for this. The king will come for me."

"We want him to come, dearie. And we'll be ready for him when he comes." Athikay leered at Avantika as she scowled.

The hostages queued up in a single line. They plodded ahead on weak wobbly knees. Their eyes were harried and their clothes clung to their skin in a thick sheen of sweat. Shivani hugged and sobbed over her little sister's shoulder. She had nobody to call her own in this whole, wide world. She held up her folded palms. Athikay assumed she was thanking him for letting them go. Women so easy to manipulate. My plans would never have succeeded but for you. He thought to himself.

Without wasting a single moment, Shivani led everyone to the safety of the trench. Simultaneously, Mahendra, Avantika and the masked soldiers had reached the opposite end.

"I am loosening your bonds. Free yourself and stand back while I take care of the rest." Avantika silently nodded to Mahendra's whisper that ghosted across her ear.

Athikay's greedy hands extended to grasp Avantika's arms when a sharp cut landed on his palm from behind. Mahendra nudged her aside as he revealed his face. Athikay's face froze in shock for a moment.

"You asked." Avantika stepped aside as she smirked at Athikay.

Athikay roared in anger. "Kill them all. Nobody gets away from here alive." He flung himself at Mahendra's neck like a rabid dog. The muscles on his face contorted as he crushed his opponent in his iron grip. Mahendra's ribs were straining to their breaking point before he jerked back, breaking free from Athikay's stranglehold.

Mahendra fell back two steps assessing his opponent. Athikay towered an inch or two above him which was no mean feat considering he was tall himself. He twirled the sword in his hand with effortless ease as he aimed for Athikay's knees. Athikay jumped up evading the pointed edge of the blade by a very narrow margin.

He swiped to Mahendra's right but was met by his sword. Mahendra parried off the attack before sneaking a cut right across Athikay's face running from top to bottom. Athikay howled in rage as he dug his nails on his face to vent his frustration.

He made a vicious cut near Mahendra's lower abdomen just beneath his armor. Blood spurted out, getting soaked up by the black tunic he wore on top. The stalemate continued as both of them cut, parried and thrust, evenly matched.

It was chaos all around as man fought man. The ground had turned slippery with blood. An occasional thud resounded through the hollow walls of the tower every time a man fell. This did not deter the men still up on their feet. They continued fighting with barely a glance at the fallen.

Shivani's face had a look of vindication as she witnessed Athikay's downfall while the hostages in the trench quivered and averted their eyes from the gory scene unfolding before them.
Kattappa shouted to Mahendra as he warded off one of Athikay's men , " We need to finish this fast. We are also losing our men too. Shall I give the signal to Veera, Aditya and the others who are waiting near the river bank to join us? We will be able to finish this faster."

Mahendra wavered for a moment before he nodded in the affirmative. Kattappa raised up the horn to his mouth and blew it. Veera, Aditya and the other soldiers waiting near the river joined them.

The numbers of Athikay's men were rapidly dwindling. He pulled his hair watching his plans crumble right before his eyes. His frantic gaze landed upon Avantika, who true to her promise, was standing in corner watching the fight. He sidestepped Mahendra with whom he was engaged and lunged at her. His knife was precariously poised near her neck.

"Step back everyone", he threatened as he dragged Avantika up a steep flight of stairs. A split second later, Mahendra bounded behind them. The others followed suit.

Athikay and Avantika had reached the top of the tower. There was an open terrace. The waters of the river were gushing right below.

"I might have lost this round but I will leave you with a permanent regret gnawing at your heart, Mahendra Baahubali." Athikay's eyes hardened as he cackled aloud before jumping headlong into the water, pulling Avantika along with him.

"No!" Mahendra's voice echoed three-fold in the open space.

Avantika concentrated all her attention on a nerve cluster near Athikay's chest. She twisted her fingers and plunged them at that exact spot. His fingers loosened around her wrist as she latched on to the railing, dangling to it, while Athikay toppled over into the river clutching his chest. Mahendra hurried to her as he lent her his arm.

"What the king began, the queen completes", said Kattappa while helping Mahendra in pulling up Avantika from the other side. "That was Marma Kala at its best."

Mahendra acknowledged Kattappa's remark with a nod of his head. Avantika landed on Mahendra's firm chest as both of them hoisted her up. He held her close to his heart. He could have remained like this forever.

"Do you think he will come back?" Avantika looked down in the river as she asked Mahendra, lines of worry etched upon her face.

"I don't think so. That final jab of yours must have been fatal." Mahendra smoothed Avantika's hair as she rested her head on top of his shoulder.

Veera cleared his throat as he coughed. "Ahem! Ahem! We have a marriage to get back to if everything is wrapped up here."

*****************

Devasena had asked the royal priest to push back the time of the ceremony a little further to give Mahendra and the others the time to reach. Mahendra's wounds were dressed before he and Avantika were rushed to their respective chambers to dress for the wedding.

The sacred mantras were chanted and the auspicious instruments were played.

"Remove the curtain between the bride and bridegroom." The priest instructed.

The curtain dropped revealing the most beautiful bride in the whole world to Mahendra. Avantika and Mahendra placed the cumin and jaggery paste on top of each other's heads symbolizing their auspicious union.

"The bride and bridegroom will exchange their garlands."

Mahendra sat up, increasing his height, making it difficult for Avantika to garland him. Avantika glared at him. He continued teasing and exasperating her for a while before he eventually relented letting her garland him.

The mangalasutra was taken around to seek the blessings of all the married women in the gathering prior to being placed before Mahendra.

"The bridegroom will tie the mangalasutra around the bride's neck and make her his", the priest said

Avantika closed her eyes savoring every single moment. She was his. Forever and forever.

"Now both of them will take the Saptha Padhi and seven vows before the sacred fire." The priest officiating the marriage declared.

The ends of their clothes were tied to each other as they circumambulated the fire seven times while saying their vows.

First vow

Mahendra: "You will nourish me with food and be my helpmate in every endeavor. I will cherish and ensure the happiness and welfare of you and our children."

Avantika: "I am take care of the home, food and financial responsibilities."

Second vow

Mahendra: "Together we will protect our house and children."

Avantika: "I will be your courage and strength. Your happiness will be mine. In return, your love will solely be mine."

Third vow

Mahendra: "Together we will earn wealth, prosperity and educate our children in the righteous path and may our children live long."

Avantika: "You are my husband and I will love you for the rest of my life. Every other man in my life will be secondary. I will preserve my chastity."

Fourth vow

Mahendra: "You made my life pure and sacred. You complete me in everything. May God bless our union with good and noble progeny."

Avantika: "I will make you happy and please you in every possible way I can."

Fifth vow

Mahendra: "You will be my best friend, and staunchest well-wisher. You enriched my life by coming into it. May God bless you."

Avantika: "'I will love and cherish you as long as I live. Your happiness is mine and your sorrow is my sorrow. I will always trust and honor your wishes."

Sixth vow

Mahendra: "You have taken six steps along with me filling my heart with immense happiness. Will you fill my heart with happiness like this at all times?"

Avantika: " 'I will always be by your side."

Seventh vow

Mahendra: "We are now husband and wife. You are mine and I am yours for eternity."

Avantika: "With God as witness, I am your wife. We will love, honor and cherish each other forever."

All the elders in the gathering stepped forward to bless the newly-wedded couple by showering turmeric-stained rice on them. There were smiles all around. Tears of happiness tipped out of the corners of Devasena's, Sanga's and Ayya's eyes as they witnessed the spectacle of their son's marriage.

******************

Two months later, Mahendra and Avantika were enjoying their honeymoon in the glades of Patalaganga far from the madding crowds of Mahishmati.

"I used to come here alone. And mind you, it happened frequently." Mahendra stretched his arms wide apart as he looked all around and then stared up at the looming mountain in front of them. "I was always curious about what lay beyond."

"But you're not anymore, are you?" Avantika asked as she wagged her right thumb in a playful fashion. "You must have discovered that what lay beyond was not something but a person. Me."

"Yes, we were meant to find each other." Mahendra confessed as he scratched behind his head, half-bashful.

"You're really serious. This mask brought you to me?" Avantika chortled as she held up the black wooden mask against her face and made occasional silly faces at her husband while peeking out of the mask.

"Believe it or not, this is where it all began." Mahendra laid beside her, the cool slab of the mound under him and the foam spraying on his face. "What's with you these days? You're always nibbling a tamarind."

Avantika hastily threw the stalk within her blouse aside. "You must have been mistaken. It was just that once you saw me. I was sampling the forest foods."

He sat up. "I have an idea. Remember, you've always expressed disbelief that I climbed this mountain for you. Both of us are here. I could show I was not bluffing and I really did it for you."

The very suggestion seemed to rattle Avantika. She dragged him back. "Have you gone crazy? See that hundred-feet-wide jump over there. You don't have to prove anything to me."

Not heeding her warning and attempting a reckless rehash of the past, Mahendra wrenched his hand free and began his ascent up the mountain. Avantika's pulse raced as he neared the jump. She yelled, "Come down this instant. You're going to become a father."

The myriad expressions of shock, surprise and disbelief flitted across his eyes before a look of perfect bliss settled down and radiated across his entire face. He jumped down and wadded to where she was standing with her hands on her hips and a disapproving glance on her face. But all her apparent anger melted away the instant he touched the skin on her abdomen and nuzzled his face against it.

"How long?" His voice was barely a whisper.

"I found out only today."

"This is wonderful, Avantika." Mahendra gasped, his breathing ragged from the tumultuous feelings coursing through him.

Avantika wordlessly nodded her head.

Mahendra cried in her arms as he said, "Thank you for coming into my life. You made it worth it."

She nestled in his arms finding her final home there.

Author's Note:
This story comes to an end here though not their love. It lives on. I have always wondered how Mahendra and Avantika's life would have been after Baahubali 2. This is my imagination of how their love story could have been. If you liked what you read, please vote, comment and support this story. I love hearing from my readers. The reason why I share my creativity on Wattpad is because I love interacting with you directly.