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At length they reached an inn； and the king's son exclaimed； 'I am very hungry； let us go in and get something to eat。'
When they had finished the king's son drew an apple out of his pocket and cut it in two； he held the big bit and the little bit out to his companion； who took the big bit at once and soon ate it up。 'You are no friend of mine；' thought the king's son； and began to declare he felt so ill he could not continue his journey。 When he had given the young man a good start he set off himself； but the way seemed even longer and duller than before。 'Oh； if I could only meet with a true friend he should be as a brother to me；' he sighed sadly； and as the thought passed through his mind； he noticed a youth going the same road as himself。
The youth came up to him and said； 'Which way are you going； my fine fellow？' And for the third time the king's son explained all about his mother's vow。 Why； that is just like me；' cried the youth。
'Then let us ride on together；' answered the king's son。
Now the miles seemed to slip by； for the new comer was so lively and entertaining that the king's son could not help hoping that he indeed might prove to be the true friend。
More quickly than he could have thought possible they reached an inn by the road…side； and turning to his companion the king's son said； 'I am hungry； let us go in and have something to eat。' So they went in and ordered dinner； and when they had finished the king's son drew out of his pocket the last apple； and cut it into two unequal parts； and held both out to the stranger。 And the stranger took the little piece； and the heart of the king's son was glad within him； for at last he had found the friend he had been looking for。 'Good youth；' he cried； 'we will be brothers； and what is mine shall be thine； and what is thine shall be mine。 And together we will push on to the shrine； and if one of us dies on the road the other shall carry his body there。' And the stranger agreed to all he said； and they rode forward together。
It took them a whole year to reach the shrine； and they passed through many different lands on their way。 One day they arrived tired and half…starved in a big city； and said to one another； 'Let us stay here for a little and rest before we set forth again。' So they hired a small house close to the royal castle； and took up their abode there。
The following morning the king of the country happened to step on to his balcony； and saw the young men in the garden； and said to himself； 'Dear me； those are wonderfully handsome youths； but one is handsomer than the other； and to him will I give my daughter to wife；' and indeed the king's son excelled his friend in beauty。
In order to set about his plan the king asked both the young men to dinner； and when they arrived at the castle he received them with the utmost kindness； and sent for his daughter； who was more lovely than both the sun and moon put together。 But at bed…time the king caused the other young man to be given a poisoned drink； which killed him in a few minutes； for he thought to himself； 'If his friend dies the other will forget his pilgrimage； and will stay here and marry my daughter。'
When the king's son awoke the next morning he inquired of the servants where his friend had gone； as he did not see him。 'He died suddenly last night；' said they； 'and is to be buried immediately。'
But the king's son sprang up； and cried； 'If my friend is dead I can stay here no longer； and cannot linger an hour in this house。'
'Oh； give up your journey and remain here；' exclaimed the king； 'and you shall have my daughter for your wife。' 'No；' answered the king's son； 'I cannot stay； but； I pray you； grant my request； and give me a good horse； and let me go in peace； and when I have fulfilled my vow then I will return and marry your daughter。'
So the king； seeing no words would move him； ordered a horse to be brought round； and the king's son mounted it； and took his dead friend before him on the saddle； and rode away。
Now the young man was not really dead； but only in a deep sleep。
When the king's son reached the shrine of St。 James he got down from his horse； took his friend in his arms as if he had been a child； and laid him before the altar。 'St。 James；' he said； 'I have fulfilled the vow my parents made for me。 I have come myself to your shrine； and have brought my friend。 I place him in your hands。 Restore him to life； I pray； for though he be dead yet has he fulfilled his vow also。' And； behold！ while he yet prayed his friend got up and stood before him as well as ever。 And both the young men gave thanks； and set their faces towards home。
When they arrived at the town where the king dwelt they entered the small house over against the castle。 The news of their coming spread very soon； and the king rejoiced greatly that the handsome young prince had come back again； and commanded great feasts to be prepared； for in a few days his daughter should marry the king's son。 The young man himself could imagine no greater happiness； and when the marriage was over they spent some months at the court making merry。
At length the king's son said； 'My mother awaits me at home； full of care and anxiety。 Here I must remain no longer； and to…morrow I will take my wife and my friend and start for home。' And the king was content that he should do so； and gave orders to prepare for their journey。
Now in his heart the king cherished a deadly hate towards the poor young man whom he had tried to kill； but who had returned to him living； and in order to do him hurt sent him on a message to some distant spot。 'See that you are quick；' said he； 'for your friend will await your return before he starts。' The youth put spurs to his horse and departed； bidding the prince farewell； so that the king's message might be delivered the sooner。 As soon as he had started the king went to the chamber of the prince； and said to him； 'If you do not start immediately； you will never reach the place where you must camp for the night。'
'I cannot start without my friend；' replied the king's son。
'Oh； he will be back in an hour；' replied the king； 'and I will give him my best horse； so that he will be sure to catch you up。' The king's son allowed himself to be persuaded and took leave of his father…in…law； and set out with his wife on his journey home。
Meanwhile the poor friend had been unable to get through his task in the short time appointed by the king； and when at last he returned the king said to him；
'Your comrade is a long way off by now； you had better see if you can overtake him。'
So the young man bowed and left the king's presence； and followed after his friend on foot； for he had no horse。 Night and day he ran； till at length he reached the place where the king's son had pitched his tent； and sank down before him； a miserable object； worn out and covered with mud and dust。 But the king's son welcomed him with joy； and tended him as he would his brother。
And at last they came home again； and the queen was waiting and watching in the palace； as she had never ceased to do since her son had rode away。 She almost died of joy at seeing him again； but after a little she rem