Now a party of the troops had banded themselves together for Belehwan; so they sent to him and bringing him privily, went in to the little Melik Shah and seized him and seated his uncle Belehwan on the throne of the kingship.  Then they proclaimed him king and did homage to him all, saying, ’Verily, we desire thee and deliver to thee the throne of the kingship; but we wish of thee that thou slay not thy brother’s son, for that on our consciences are the oaths we swore to his father and grandfather and the covenants we made with them.’  So Belehwan granted them this and imprisoned the boy in an underground dungeon and straitened him.  Presently, the heavy news reached his mother and this was grievous to her; but she could not speak and committed her affair to God the Most High, daring not name this to King Caesar her husband, lest she should make her uncle King Suleiman Shah a liar.

So Belehwan the froward abode king in his father’s room and his affairs prospered, what while the young Melik Shah lay in the underground dungeon four full-told years, till his charms faded and his favour changed.  When God (extolled be His perfection and exalted be He!) willed to relieve him and bring him forth of the prison, Belehwan sat one day with his chief officers and the grandees of his state and discoursed with them of the story of King Suleiman Shah and what was in his heart.  Now there were present certain viziers, men of worth, and they said to him, ’O king, verily God hath been bountiful unto thee and hath brought thee to thy wish, so that thou art become king in thy father’s stead and hast gotten thee that which thou soughtest.  But, as for this boy, there is no guilt in him, for that, from the day of his coming into the world, he hath seen neither ease nor joyance, and indeed his favour is faded and his charms changed [with long prison].  What is his offence that he should merit this punishment?  Indeed, it is others than he who were to blame, and God hath given thee the victory over them, and there is no fault in this poor wight.’  Quoth Belehwan, ’Indeed, it is as ye say; but I am fearful of his craft and am not assured from his mischief; belike the most part of the folk will incline unto him.’  ‘O king,’ answered they, ’what is this boy and what power hath he?  If thou fear him, send him to one of the frontiers.’  And Belehwan said, ’Ye say sooth:  we will send him to be captain over such an one of the marches.’

Now over against the place in question was a host of enemies, hard of heart, and in this he purposed the youth’s slaughter.  So he bade bring him forth of the underground dungeon and caused him draw near to him and saw his case.  Then he bestowed on him a dress of honour and the folk rejoiced in this.  Moreover, he tied him an ensign[FN#134] and giving him a numerous army, despatched him to the region aforesaid, whither all who went were still slain or made prisoners.  So Melik Shah betook himself thither with his army and when it was one of the days, behold, the enemy fell in upon them in the night; whereupon some of his men fled and the rest the enemy took; and they took Melik Shah also and cast him into an underground dungeon, with a company of his men.  There he abode a whole year in evil plight, whilst his fellows mourned over his beauty and grace.