Chapter 2 v.1-3, 8-32. Chapter 3 v.1-9
2.1. Now the Queen commanded that all the knights and warriors should submit themselves unto Kemendil.
2. So Ostendil let the trumpet be blown; and the whole army assembled before the City. And they bowed the knee to Kemendil, and he bade them disperse; and the Queen gave a bounty to each man, and so they departed by sections and companies, each man to his own home; and the City was at peace, and all the people rejoiced.
3. But Ostendil returned to his own house, and dismissed his servants, and took a shaving-blade, and slew himself in a bath of water.
8. Then Lefnui came to Kemendil’s chamber, being carried in a litter, for he was not yet healed of his wounds. And Aldred the Punchkin sat among the guards outside the door; and Lefnui greeted Aldred.
9. So Aldred came in to Kemendil, and said, Lefnui seeketh an audience of thee. And Kemendil said, Let him come.
10. Then said Lefnui to Kemendil, My lord, I grieve at the affliction that hath befallen thee, for I fear that it hath rendered thee unfit for the kingship.
11. Never in all the years of its abiding hath this realm been governed by a blind king, nor hath such a one been heard of in any other land.
12. And the council murmureth against thee, saying, How shall such a fellow as this rule over us?
13. And Kemendil answered and said, I have had a forethought of such objections, my lord, and I perceive that thou doubtest me also. Hast thou not considered in thy heart, that if I cannot rule, then thou shalt become king?
14. And Lefnui answered, Nay, my lord.
15. And Kemendil said, Shall I give a sign unto thee, and unto the council, and unto all them that doubt me? Wilt thou help me to prove that my thought is subtle, and my ears are keen, and my memory exceedingly strong, as belongeth to one who hath drunk the beer of the Witch,
16. And that I am able to hear the feet of my servants in the streets, and the comings-in and goings-out of all them that come and go through the gates of the City,
17. And reckon up the tallies of the merchants, and the bushels of the husbandmen, and the spears of the soldiers, and the ingots of the founders of metal; and settle accounts with the Dwarves, and the smiths, and them that work in iron, and in bronze, and in copper, and in silver, and in gold;
18. And give ear to every word that each of my subjects speaketh, and discern the hidden thoughts of all their hearts, yea, even from the greatest unto the least? Wilt thou believe that I am able to carry this whole kingdom in my head?
19. And Lefnui answered, Willingly, my lord: what shall I do?
20. Then Kemendil said, Bring five chessboards and five sets of chessmen into the council chamber: and thou shalt contend against me, thou with four others skilled in the playing of chess; and let all my doubters look upon the games. Then shall ye discover that my wits and my memory are an overmatch for ye all.
21. And Lefnui said, All five at once? And Kemendil answered, All five at once. And Lefnui said, Thou being blind, and having no help? And Kemendil answered, I being blind, and having no help.
22. So Lefnui ordered the chessboards to be brought into the council chamber; and he inquired in the City for those chess-players who were greatest in repute.
23. And at even-time Kemendil came into the chamber, Aldred leading him by the hand: and he sat down in the high seat. And the table had been turned crosswise so that he might face all five boards and opponents,
24. Which were Lefnui, Hriveor, Tirmo the chief of the guild of the smiths, Lammanwe the advocate, and Sadron the keeper of the royal library. And they all had the white pieces, and Kemendil had the black.
25. And the Queen came in and sat down to watch, with other of the royal household and of the City.
26. And Kemendil kept his seat, and stirred not, but spake unto Aldred; and Aldred went back and forth along his side of the table, moving a piece on each board in turn, as Kemendil directed him.
27. And all marvelled to see the play: for Kemendil could perfectly remember each game: and Aldred came back to each board before the player had well considered his next move. And the players sweated. And the armies of the black chessmen advanced on every board, and the white armies were routed.
28. Then Tirmo received the checkmate, and then Lammanwe, and then Lefnui, and then Hriveor, and last of all Sadron.
29. And Kemendil spake in a loud voice, saying, Listen, all ye who have beheld this contest, and heed my words! Though my eyes are darkened, believe ye not that I can hear the breath of all who stand and sit within this chamber, and the feet of my servants in the streets, and the comings-in and goings-out of all them who come and go through the gates of this City,
30. And am able to reckon up the tallies of the merchants, and the bushels of the husbandmen, and the spears of the soldiers, and the ingots of the founders of metal; and settle accounts with the smiths, and give ear to every word that each one of my subjects speaketh,
31. And hold this whole kingdom in my head, and master, it, even as I have mastered these games and small pieces? Doubt no more, but obey.
32. And the tale of this new deed of prowess ran through the City. And the people said, Surely this is a mighty man of Dru, sent by Lord Dru to govern us.
3.1. Now it was the third day of the autumn festival, that was the second day after Kemendil had taken the City.
2. And he came to the Erumar with his lords and his knights, and the Queen followed with her bridesmaids and her ladies of honour,
3. And Sorondur the priest anointed Kemendil’s head with oil; and the Queen bare to him the ancient crown of the kingdom; and Sorondur crowned him as king. And the trumpets were blown, and all the people cried, Long live King Kemendil.
4. Then the Queen laid her hand in the King’s hand, and they were married.
5. Howbeit the priests offered no sacrifice, nor ever afterward was the blood of beasts shed within the Temple. For Kemendil had commanded the priests, saying, Enough of bloodshed: make ye a new altar and a new dispensation. And they cleansed the pool beneath the altar of all the blood that had been shed, and filled it again with water; and Kemendil hallowed it.
6. And when the King and Queen were married, the young sapling was brought into the midst of the Temple; and the priests raised it from the barrel and planted it where the stump of the dead tree had stood. And the Queen took a silver trowel, and put earth on the roots of the young tree.
7. And the tree grew tall and fair, and many birds nested in its branches, for Kemendil commanded that the vault above it, where the dome of the Temple no longer was, be left unbuilt, and opened to the heavens. And this was another sign of the new dispensation.
8. Then the King and Queen returned to the palace, and there they held a great feast. But certain of the wedding-guests observed that the twain conversed little, one to another.
9. And when the feast was over, the King and Queen retired to their rest. But the bridesmaids were sad, for he came not into her bedchamber; and he knew her not.