Rikki-tikki spent the next day talking to his fellow mongooses. They all wanted to hear from him and Avíá about their adventures. He had no time to propose to her. Several female mongooses all asked him to tell his tale repeatedly. He could tell some of them were interested in a relationship with him. However, he had already settled adamantly on Avíá.
That night, he had them gather outside in the garden. "What is your big announcement?" said Rédari. Rikki let out a high-pitched sound: a mongoose giggle. The room became silent. "Rikki-tikki has chosen a mate!" said a mongoose. "Did you hear that, Rikki-tikki has chosen a mate?" said another mongoose. "Who could be the lucky girl?" said a third mongoose. "Rikki, you've picked a wife?" said Rédari. "Rikki-tikki-tavi, who is she?" asked Rimíra.
Avíá felt saddened. Surely, this would be the end of her dream. Rikki-tikki-tavi would be with somebody else. Rikki turned and giggled, looking straight into the eyes of Avíá. She was stunned! "Me?" she said. "Avíá" said Rikki, falling to his knees, "I'm asking you, no I'm begging you. Please marry me." he said. The others around him stared right at Avíá. "I know I can never replace your family, but please, let me be the wonderful guy that Arda said you would meet. I'll always be there for you. I need someone by my side. Someone I can shower affection on. Please be my wife Avíá-tía-tárá!" he said. "Rikki, I…..I…." she said, shocked. "Avíá, what are you going to….?" asked Rímira. "Not now dear, this is between them." said Rédari. "Yes dear." said Rímira.
"Please. You are my beloved one, Avíá." he said. "You were willing to let them kill you because you thought Teddy and I were dead." said Avíá. "Yes. I'm nothing without you Avíá-tía-tárá." he said. "I also got you this as a wedding present." he said, giving her the dead Cobra King. "Oh Rikki." she said. "So will you?" he said. "Would you love me and be my friend even if I said no?" she asked. This was her final test. If he'd hate her if she said no and wouldn't let her choose on her own, he wasn't right for her. If he would let her turn him down and live her life as she wanted, she would have him. "Rikki, I'm not sure you're the right one for me." she said.
He thought about it. Life without Avíá by his side would be very lonely. Yes, he would keep her as a friend and he'd always love her, but if she chose another mongoose, he'd have to respect that and keep his distance. Perhaps she did plan to turn him down. Yet, it was her life. He'd respect what she chose. "Yes, it's your life. You do what you want. I will always be your friend and always love you." he said.
She paused, then turned and looked at Rikki. "I had wondered if you were the right one for me. Now I know you are! You passed the test!" she said. She let out a mongoose giggle. His heart leapt. "I don't need any presents. You're more than enough of a present for me!" she said, running up and hugging him. "I love you Rikki-tikki. I'll marry you. But you'd best behave yourself." she said. "Agreed." said Rikki. The two hugged and kissed. Much to the surprise of the others, Rímíra, who was very conservative, didn't say anything about it, being too eager to watch her son propose to Avíá.
Rikki and Avíá's WeddingThe following evening, Rímíra and Avíá were together in Teddy's bedroom. "I'm so dreadfully nervous, Rímíra." said Avíá. "Don't worry deary. You'll be fine." said Rímíra. "Being part of a family again. You don't know what this means to me." said Avíá, choking back tears. Meanwhile, Rikki was talking to his father. "I'm so nervous. I hope Avíá likes the surprise I got her. Those mice were awfully brave to go find every member of her remaining family. Fortunately none got eaten." said Rikki. "I'm sure she'll really appreciate it." said Rédarí. A bird flew up to them. "I bring a message from King Bahaxur." said the bird. Rikki and his father turned, and there stood Bahaxur with his wife Shujaa. "We're about to have the happy union of Rikki and Avíá." said Rédarí. "So, they've finally got it sorted out. I knew Rikki could do it!" said Shujaa. "Well my wife and I shall stay for it. They invited us anyway. We also were going to tell the two nuptials about our new child we're going to have." said Bahaxur. "Congratulations to Rikki and Avíá!" said Shujaa. "Where is Avíá?" she asked. "Talking to my mother. Probably asking all sorts of questions about me so she can get along with me better in the years to come." said Rikki. "Well, we wish you two well." said Shujaa. "Rikki, the Coppersmith is…." said Avíá. "Hello Bahaxur and Shujaa." she said, noticing the lions. "Rikki, who are those mongooses over there?" she asked, pointing toward her family. "They almost look like…." she said. "Your family. I had mice and such track them down. Some traveled all day and night to get here and didn't stop. They're running on pure adrenaline I expect." he said. "Oh Rikki! You're wonderful!" she said, and was about to kiss him. "Save it for when the vows are done." he said. "Right." she said, blushing.
They came before the Coppersmith. Before they exchanged their vows, Darzee and his wife sang for Avíá as Rikki had instructed them. "Very lovely." said Avíá. "You have wonderful voices Darzee and Biwi." she said. "Do you, Rikki-tikki-tavi, take Avíá-tía-tárá to be your wife for as long as you both shall live?" said the Coppersmith. "I do." he said. "And do you, Avíá-tía-tárá, take Rikki-tikki-tavi to be your husband for as long as you both shall live?" said the Coppersmith. "I do." she said. "And do you Rikki-tikki, promise to keep Avíá-tía safe at all costs, including your own life if need be?" said the Coppersmith. "I most certainly do. I shall love her above all others and shall do my utmost to ensure that she is provided for." said Rikki-tikki. "Do you, Avíá-tía-tárá, promise to stay with Rikki-tikki-tavi through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, in happy times and sad times?" said the Coppersmith. "I definitely do. I'm going to stay by him forever." she said. "Do you Rikki, take Avíá to be your wife forever. To have and to hold. And to cherish forever?" said the Coppersmith. "I do." he said. "Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife." said the Coppersmith, to the applause of the other garden animals. "You may kiss the bride." said the Coppersmith. "It's about time!" said Rikki and Avíá, kissing amidst the loud cheering of the garden animals. They kissed for a long time. "What are we going to do next, husband?" Avíá said, and the new couple ran across the garden, poking each other and giggling. "Ding-dong-tock! I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Rikki-tikki-tavi!" sang the Coppersmith.
After the Wedding"I've got some mice for you two to eat." said Avíá's grandmother. "Great, I'm starving!" said Rikki, who went to go eat, followed closely by his new wife. "He thinks with his stomach." said Avíá to her grandmother. "I hope they weren't anyone I knew." whispered a nearby mouse. "Hurray, six mongooses to protect us! The snakes won't want to come here!" sang Darzee. "They killed my parents and brother and sister. With enough snakes, they could kill us all." said Avíá. "Oh dear!" said Darzee. "But they'll have to do just that to get past Rikki and I!" she said. "What about the others?" said Biwi. "We're going to be leaving." said Rédari. "Yes, the humans can't possibly feed us all. Anyway, we're off to explore. We haven't been to Kalindo and back, like some others." said Rímíra. "Won't you stay for a while?" begged Rikki. "Certainly. I don't think you're up to…" she said. "If you don't think Rikki can handle being on his own, you obviously don't know Rikki! said Avíá. "Avíá, don't talk to my Mother like that!" said Rikki. " He can take care of himself and he has taken care of me well! I have no doubt that he can manage a family!" said Avíá. "She's right. You've managed to keep her and yourself safe in all your travels. You can surely protect a family." said Rímíra. "He is truly wonderful." said Avíá, hugging her new husband. "Still, I pity you Avíá." said Rímíra. "Why? My family's death? Yes, it will always hurt me, but I have a new family now." she said, beaming. "Well, I am sorry for your loss, but I meant, being married to Rikki." said Rímíra. "What?" said Avíá in shock. "Mother!" said Rikki. "He is very stubborn and you have to pester him to get him to do anything." said Rímíra. "She's quite good at that." said Rikki, causing Avíá to softly punch him. "He is also a bit fond of food and he….." said Rimíra. "Thinks with his stomach." said Avíá, finishing her sentence. "Yes. You do know him." said Rimíra admiringly. "Congratulations you two." said Bahaxur. "Look, an actual lion!" said Teddy. "God be merciful!" said the big man. "Hang on." he said, totally perplexed, "He's not attacking." "Maybe he's tame." said Alice. "Maybe." said the big man.
"I know full well how stubborn Rikki can be. I've been with him for over four months already! Every day." said Avíá. "Congratulations on your child." said Avíá to the two lions. "Hopefully it'll be a son, then I'll have a King to be around after I'm gone." said Bahaxur. Shujaa rolled her eyes at him. "A daughter wouldn't be bad either. I can always have a son later." said Bahaxur. Shujaa groaned.
"Your mother told me all about you Rikki-tikki." said Avíá. "Ho boy!" said Rikki, groaning. "It's ok Rikki." said Avíá. "So many wonderful things about you I never knew." Rikki sighed. "You bit your tail when you were little because you didn't know what it was." said Avíá. "Yes, I did. I thought it was annoying to keep following me around." he said. "Are you going to bite me?" Avíá asked. "No, I like you following me around." he said. They both laughed.
Rikíla came up to Rikki, looking very sad. "Why are you so down?" he asked. "Ravánti said that if you got married, I'd never see you again." she said, starting to cry. "No, I'll visit you, not him." laughed Rikki. "Really?" grinned Rikíla. "I'll visit both of you." he said. "Hey Rikíla." said Avíá. "Hello. I've never gotten to talk to you much, Avíá." said Rikíla. "Why do you like him so much? He is weird." said Rikíla. "He's my kind of weird." said Avíá. "Has your brother always snored?" asked Avíá. "Or does he just do that when traveling?" "I'm afraid he does, sometimes." said Rikíla. "Well, I can always shake him awake." said Avíá. "You snore too!" said Rikki. "I do not!" she said. "Yes you do!" he said, raising his voice. "I do not!" she said. "Yes you do!" he said. "It's only the first day of their marriage and they're already arguing." said Darzee, shaking his head. "Fine, I do then. I guess you wouldn't lie to me." she said. "Well, some argument, huh, Darzee?" said Biwi.
Rikíla slapped Rikki-tikki. "What was that for?" said Rikki angrily. "You pinched me and blamed Ravánti!" said Rikíla. "I….what...?" said Rikki. "Your new wife told me." said Rikíla. "Oh Avíá!" Rikki groaned.
"Hey, Rikki! Mr. Rikki-tikki-tavi!" called a mouse. "Yes." said Rikki, surprised at being addressed so formally. "I'm Karl." he said. "I'm pleased to meet you. What brings you to my wedding?" he asked the mouse. "You saved her! You saved her! Thank you! Thank you!" he cried, hugging Rikki, who felt awkward. "Who did I save?" he asked. "My wife, Kíja!' he said. "You saved me from being digested alive!" said Kíja, hugging him as well. "You're a very lucky girl!" said Kíja to Avíá. "Don't I know!" smiled Avíá. "And I'm very lucky to have her as my wife." said Rikki-tikki, hugging Avíá and gently stroking her fur.
War Council"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Rikki-tikki-tavi." said Chínselháüst. Rikki and Avíá turned to look at her. "We've made something for you two. To celebrate your wedding and victory over the Cobra King." said the tarantula. They came to a place in the forest where a spider's web had been spun in the shape of Rikki and Avíá, and several mutilated snakes. "You like it?" said Chalícává. "Most certainly!" said Rikki and Avíá. "However, victory over the Cobra King or not, we still are at war. There's still the Cobra Queen. Widowed, she'll be five times worse; I've seen as much with Nagaina after Nag's death." said Rikki. "So, what should we do?" said Bahaxur. "We'll have to keep in contact from time to time. Nagasta has many followers. Those who hate us have now joined her side. And I suspect she has something nasty planned for us all." said Rikki. "Avíá, as you're no doubt aware, as is everyone now, it was I who killed Nag and Nagaina. Nagasta now knows as much. I have now killed Karistan. That you are my wife puts you in as much danger as me." said Rikki. "Let her come. We'll take care of her together!" said Avíá. "I don't think she'll come for a while. At least not personally. She waited four months before trying to come to the garden after hatching and leaving and waited eight months before rising as the Cobra Queen and coming back to the garden. She can wait a long time to get back at us and we mustn't be off our guard." said Rikki. "I agree." said Chalícává. "Working together though, we can keep her and her followers at bay." "For a while, but she'll come back." said Rikki. "We don't know where she is right now. Could be watching us as we speak." said Avíá. "Negative." said a middle-aged crow, Barróc, a son of Tacróc. "Karait, Nag, and Nagaina came from a land quite north of here. She'll be heading back there. It's where her family is from. Never been there myself, but Father had. He said it was a more rocky place than this though still with much jungle.[5] There are many cobras there. We can't go fight them there yet. They know the land too well." "I'm grateful to your father. He spread the news of the Magical Herb of Kalindo. Without that news, I fear I may have gone off a different direction and not met my wife Avíá. I wouldn't have been able to save the people. " said Rikki. "Our Father never doubted you. He said you could kill Nagasta even without the help of a magical plant. " said Barróc. "We shall befriend any of the crows, Dark Mongooses, or others that have joined Nagasta if they will repent of their evil ways and leave her. We won't be so nice with those who have killed for her, but we will try to win back the jungle from her. In the meantime, Avíá and I will be her main targets. Hopefully we can meet again." said Rikki. "Come back soon. You're always welcome." said Avíá.
Avíá Massages RikkiThe guests finally went away. Rikki's mother hugged him, as well as his new wife, goodbye. "Take care." she said after a long parting. Finally, Rédarí said "Rímíra, let him be alone with his new wife for a few weeks. Then we can come back. They need their privacy." She agreed. "I'll be back soon. Good luck with Avíá-tía. I…" she said. "Rímíra!" said Rédari. "Bye." she said. His family waved goodbye to them, then left.
"Alone at last." said Avíá. "I'm going to miss them." said Rikki-tikki sadly. "You have me." said Avíá. "Yes, I do." he said. She nuzzled him with her snout. He kissed her. "Well dear, I need to rest. Worrying about Nagasta and planning a wedding have made my back all tense." he said. "Few mongooses are as brave and responsible as you Rikki-tikki. You really deserve a break." said his wife. "Thank you Avíá." he said. "I need to rest as I'm so sore." "I can help." said his wife. "I don't need it any worse. I wish to rest, not be pestered." said Rikki-tikki. "Oh ha ha!" she laughed. Avíá rubbed Rikki's back. "Avíá, what are you doing? I said I needed to rest." said Rikki-tikki-tavi. "Just hold still. This will help you relax." said Avíá-tía-tárá. Her gentle rubbing made him feel more relaxed. He sighed and lay on his stomach, allowing Avíá to more easily rub his back. She sure is great to have around! he thought. After a while, she began to scratch his back gently with her claws. "That feels good." said her husband. A while later, she began to gently pound his back with her paws. He felt even better. "That feels great. Thank you dear." he said, smiling at her. "Do you like me 'pestering' you?" Avíá asked him. He laughed. "Yes. Please continue to 'pester' me. I really like this kind of pestering." he said.
Sometime later, she felt around on his back. She found a few knots. "Time to help relieve the tension." Avíá said. She pressed against a knot. "Ouch! What are you doing?" he said, flinching. "Hold still!" she said. "It hurts!" he said, frowning at her. "Just do it!" she said irritably. He held still. She kept pushing. This helped relieve the tension. He felt relieved. "Thanks dear. That was great!" he said. "Yes, I'd never want to hurt my Rikki-tikki. I like it when you're happy." she said. She continued to massage him until all of the tension was gone. "You're the best! You're pretty good at this!" he said to her. "Yes, I guess I am." she said to her husband, grinning. "I've seen Mother rub down Dad many times and think I've figured it out. But, I can't go doing this for just any guy out there. But, of course, you're special!" she said, now rubbing his neck.
"Yes, Rikki-tikki-tavi, I can do this for you anytime. Just treat me well." his wife said, rubbing her paws across his neck. She helped remove the knots from his neck as well. He felt relieved. "Lie on your back." she said. He obeyed. She rubbed his stomach. He felt really relaxed. She massaged his legs and feet. He was really enjoying himself. He kissed her on the cheek. "Avíá, you are…..you are….." he said, struggling to find words to express his gratitude. "The best wife a mongoose could have and that you alone are worthy of." she suggested. He nodded. "Not sure if I'm so worthy." he said. "Yes you are 'Our Great Hope'!" she said. "I love you 'My Beloved One'!" he said. The two laughed. She rubbed his head. She also gently stroked his ears. He was so at ease that he fell asleep. He woke up when she said "All done handsome." He got back on his feet. He hugged her and gently stroked her fur. She was really good at massaging. He was still learning more about her. Of course, they now had forever to learn about each other. He yawned, for Avíá's massage had made him feel sleepy and he had already had a long day. He was hoping Teddy would come soon so he could go to bed. Avíá, however, had other plans.
Wedding Night"This all feels so weird. Being married to you. I still have trouble believing it. I thought that I would live a boring ordinary life. After I lost my family, I thought I'd never be happy again. But, now I have a family again and I'm your wife. I suppose that you just decided to marry me over the past few days. Our ordeal in the fight with Nagasta was what did it I suppose." said Avíá. "No, actually I've been getting closer and closer to a decision months ago. Ever since we left Kalindo, I was about settled on you. When we left the Wet Lands, I knew it was you that I was meant to marry. That's why I was going to let Nagasta kill me, apart from it being the only way to save the others, when I thought you were dead. I was too grief-stricken to fight her without you and knew I wouldn't be complete without you." said Rikki-tikki.
"Rikki-tikki-tavi, you are just so…..well, you. I can't think of a word that does justice. I had hoped you'd marry me. I wanted to be sure you wanted me for me and that your love would keep you from taking advantage of me. I now know that you wouldn't take advantage of anyone, least of all me. I knew you'd be great with kids. I saw you with Sciurus. I feared you wouldn't want me." said Avíá-tía-tárá. "No, I did." he said. "I know you'd be a great mother." he said. "Of course I'd want you to help me bring up my kids. Our kids." he said. So, he does want kids. That's good. Avíá thought.
Teddy came to get them. "I'm going to have you two stay on my pillow every night. You guys are wonderful and helped save my life." he said. Rikki turned to follow, but Avíá grabbed him and pulled him back. "Avíá, dear, what….?" he said. "He can get along without us for one night." she said to her new husband. "I have something special in mind for us tonight. One that involves just you and I alone. We're going to stay up later than normal tonight." she whispered to him, for other animals were nearby and she wanted this private between them. "What exactly did you have in mind? Are we going somewhere?" he asked his new wife. She whispered into his ear. "No, we've had enough of traveling for a while. I'd like to stay here." "Can't we do it in there with Teddy?" Rikki asked, whispering back. "Certainly not! It might scar him if he were present!" whispered Avíá. "I don't understand." Rikki-tikki whispered. "It's our wedding night silly mongoose! You said you wanted children. We can work on that but I'd rather not get the boy involved. "said Avíá. Rikki's ears perked up. He nodded. "Nearly forgot about that. Certainly. It's our wedding night after all. We shall do the thing properly. Let's go someplace private." he whispered back to her. "How about under the veranda?" Avíá suggested. Rikki nodded. He followed her back out of the house. "Hey Rikki-tikki, where are you going?" said Darzee. "None of your business." said Rikki. Darzee was shocked at this reply from him. "Avíá, where are you….?" said Darzee. "Nunya!" said Avíá. "Come on, you can tell me Rikki-tikki-tavi. I won't tell anyone." said Darzee. "I suggest you leave us alone before I decide to see what tailorbird tastes like!" said Rikki in annoyance. "Rikki-tikki!" said Darzee in shock. "Mrs. Avíá, we are friends. Can you please tell me?" asked Darzee. "Talk to the tail." said Avíá, fluffing up her tail and turning her back to him. Darzee, disappointed, returned to his wife. "They sure are being rude!" said Darzee to Biwi. "Stop being such a budinski!" said Biwi, who was wiser than Darzee and guessed what the two mongooses were up to. "Let's go to bed. It's late!"
"What about Nagasta?" Rikki asked Avíá. "Rikki-tikki-tavi," she said, "you've worried about her for months now. You've driven her out. Our friends are still nearby. It's our wedding night. You have my permission to relax now for a while." Rikki-tikki laughed. She went underneath the veranda.
Rikki followed her, grinning. He had a right to be proud of himself. He had managed to beat back Nagasta as well as win the heart of the love of his life, with whom he would be spending their first night as husband and wife alone together. For the first time in months, he could focus on something other than Nagasta tonight.
Nagasta Heads NorthMeanwhile, in a snake hole several miles away, Nagasta sat, fuming. "Several of my children are dead, all of my siblings are dead, my parents are dead, and now my Karistan is dead!" said Nagasta. "And who do I have to blame for it all?" she hissed softly. "Rikki-tikki-tavi!" "Your Highness, we have some news." said a crow. "What?" said Nagasta irritably. "Rikki-tikki has married Avíá-tía." said the crow. "Married? The nerve of him! Getting married while I am widowed! I hate them both! That he should marry her, that wicked girl who killed two of my children, I am not surprised! Curse them!" hissed Nagasta. "What should we do now?" said a Dark Mongoose. "Head to the north. My family came from there." said Nagasta.
Two hours later, a crow came to the garden. He couldn't find Rikki or Avíá. Finally, he went and woke up Darzee. "I've got some news for Rikki and his wife." said the crow. "Mr. and Mrs. Rikki-tikki-tavi are very busy with something and have told me to nose out." said Darzee. "I think you can see them. Just make sure you call to them first before going in. They're under the veranda." said Biwi. "Rikki. Avíá. When you're up to it, could I have a word?" said the crow, standing outside the crawlspace that led under the veranda. After about a minute, Avíá and Rikki came out, looking really pleased with themselves. "Yes, we're available now. We've been asleep for a few minutes now." said Rikki, yawning. "What is it? Is Nagasta coming to attack us?" said Avíá, yawning and stretching. "No, Nagasta and her friends are heading north. They're leaving the area." said the crow. "That is good. But, I know her, she'll be back someday." said Rikki-tikki. "However, I needn't worry about her for a while." He and Avíá both went back under the veranda and slept.
After several days of traveling, Nagasta reached the Chinese steppes. "My family, I have returned. My parents Nag and Nagaina were killed by the evil mongoose Rikki-tikki-tavi. He killed all of my siblings, one of my children, and not long ago killed my husband Karistan. We could have driven the people out of the southern lands. He's been in our way. Karait, Nag, and Nagaina met their end through him. He's just been married to Avíá-tía-tárá, another enemy of ours who killed two of my children. They have befriended King Bahaxur and Emperor Chalícává and driven out those who would have helped us. Much of the southern land is now controlled by the enemy. Only the Land of the Vipers and the pythons isn't under their control. We must retake our kingdom from this enemy! He's been against us from the beginning!" said Nagasta, her voice rising as she gave her speech to her family. "We shall kill Rikki-tikki!" said a cobra. "We'll kill these mongooses and make them pay for messing with us! The southern lands will belong to us soon!" said a king cobra. "Go back and find news on Rikki-tikki-tavi. I want to really hurt him for what he's done to me!" said Nagasta to her crows. "Yes, Your Highness." they croaked before leaving. "I will have my revenge yet!" she hissed.