The emperor sent Popocatépetl to war in Oaxaca, promising him Iztaccíhuatl as his wife when he returned (which Iztaccíhuatl's father presumed he would not). Iztaccíhuatl was falsely told that Popocatépetl had died in battle, and believing the news, she died of grief. When Popocatépetl returned to find his love dead, he took her body to a spot outside Tenochtitlan and kneeled by her grave.
The emperor dispatched Popocatépetl to war in Oaxaca, assuring him Iztaccíhuatl as his wife upon return (which Iztaccíhuatl's father thought he would not). Iztaccíhuatl was misled into believing Popocatépetl had died in battle and consequently fell ill. When Popocatépetl returned to find her dead, he buried her at a location outside Tenochtitlan.