Four horses were approaching the great river Kollidam’s ferry point.

Upon those four horses rode four warriors. They were all familiar to us: Parthibendran, Kandhamaaran, Vandiyathevan, and Ponniyin Selvan.

Of these, the first two had come prepared to board the boat and cross the Kollidam, journeying northward. The other two had come to bid them farewell.

When they reached the ferry, all four friends dismounted from their horses.

“Kandhamaaran! Has all your anger towards your old friend vanished now? Or are you still holding on to some remnants?” asked Ponniyin Selvan.

“My lord! What reason do I have to be angry with him? There is much more cause for me to feel remorse over my own foolishness. He forgot all the harm I did him and came forward to befriend me as before—such magnanimity is without equal. He saved my sister from drowning in the river’s flood; can I ever repay that debt of gratitude in this lifetime? When I think of how my mind became so clouded and corrupted, I am astonished at myself. At first, as I had intended, I failed to arrange Manimekalai’s marriage with him. Had I done so, would she have ended up in such a pitiable state today?” said Kandhamaaran.

“Why do you say that? Her memory has suffered a slight lapse due to the shock of falling into the river’s flood. Won’t she recover after a few days?” asked the prince.

“It does not seem like a simple lapse of memory. She remembers everyone else. She recalls all other matters. Only to me and Vandiyathevan does she show no recognition. When I think of the love she bore for me, my heart feels as if it will break. The cry, ‘Alas! I have killed my beloved brother with my own hands!’—that wailing voice still rings in my ears…”

“Why should she cry out like that? You are alive and well, aren’t you?” “I am still alive! How much better it would have been if I had died. Yes, sir! She is convinced that I killed Vandiyathevan, and that for that, she killed me. At times, she weeps thinking of me. At other times, she mourns for my friend, lamenting, ‘Will the river’s flood ever return? Will it bring back those who have died?’ No matter how much I tell her, she refuses to accept that I am her brother. She cannot recognize Vandiyathevan either. She even asks him, ‘Who are you? Have you ever seen the Prince of Vallam?’”

“Is that so?” asked Ponniyin Selvan, turning to look at Vandiyathevan, and saw tears brimming in his eyes.

“Ah! If only she knew that Vandiyathevan is no longer just the Prince of Vallam, but has become the King of Vallam! How much joy that would bring her! Alas, we did not get to tell her,” said Parthibendran.

Hearing this, Kandamaran looked at Ponniyin Selvan with a face full of astonishment.

“Yes, my friend! The Emperor has decided to return the land of Vanagappadi to your friend and make him the King of Vallam. Likewise, he intends to grant you, as a separate kingdom, the region near Vanagappadi that was once ruled by the Vaithumbarayars. From now on, the two of you must live as neighbors. You must always act so that nothing ever comes between your friendship,” said Ponniyin Selvan.

“It seems the Emperor’s compassion knows no bounds. In that case, I need not return to Kadambur, do I?” Kandamaran asked, a little cheer in his voice.

“There is no need. Your old palace there has most likely burned down, hasn’t it? If you go back there, old memories will only haunt you. Build a new palace on the southern bank of the River Palar. When your sister’s health improves, she too can come and live there.”

“Prince! I do not think Manimekalai will come to live with us anymore. Your grandmother, Sembiyan Maadevi, has said she will take her along on a pilgrimage. Manimekalai has become very fond of the Elder Princess. Even today, the Elder Princess has taken my sister to Thiruvaiyaru.”

“Yes; they have gone in a grand procession. Even my uncle and aunt, who have just been married, have gone along. Listen to this amusing thing: from now on, I must consider the Samudra Kumari as my aunt!”

“Never in the Chola clan has there been such a restrained wedding as this one between Madurantakan and Poonguzhali!” said Parthibendran.

“Even my own coronation will be conducted with the same restraint!” said Arulmozhi.

“That is something that will never happen!…” said Vandiyathevan.

Ponniyin Selvan, feigning surprise, asked, “What is it that will not happen? My coronation?”

Vandiyathevan, a little embarrassed, replied, “No, my lord! I meant that it is impossible for it to happen quietly. Even now, the people have begun to inquire and speak about your coronation!”

“Prince! Should we not be present for your crowning ceremony? At this very time, you are sending us northwards, while in Thanjai they are already saying that the date for the coronation will be fixed as soon as the month of Thai begins! Vandiyathevan is the lucky one; fortune’s favorite…” said Kandamaran.

“There is nothing of that sort. I am soon going to send Vandiyathevan to Eezham as well. Friends! Believe this one thing for certain! My coronation will not take place without you, my dearest friends!” Ponniyin Selvan declared firmly.

“Thank you very much, my lord! As soon as the date for the coronation is fixed, send a message through the horsemen, and we will come at once,” said Kandamaran.

“My friend! Why worry about that? I will not have my coronation without you present. Believe this without doubt. And do not forget why I am to be crowned. It is not to while away my days in pleasure beneath the palace moonlit terraces or in the palace gardens. Friends! Since my journey to Eezham, I have already shared with you the visions and dreams I have seen. Let me say it