[Sidenote:  Parzival and the hermit.] Some months later, exhausted by constant journeys, Parzival painfully dragged himself to a hermit’s hut.  There he learned that the lonely penitent was Trevrezent, the brother of Amfortas, who, having also preferred worldly pleasures to the service of the Holy Grail, had accompanied him on his fatal excursion.  When Trevrezent saw his brother sorely wounded, he repented of his sins, and, retiring into the woods, spent his days and nights in penance and prayer.  He told Parzival of the expected stranger, whose question would break the evil spell, and related how grievously he and all the Templars had been disappointed when such a man had actually come and gone, but without fulfilling their hopes.  Parzival then penitently confessed that it was he who had thus disappointed them, related his sorrow and ceaseless quest, and told the story of his early youth and adventures.  Trevrezent, on hearing his guest’s name, exclaimed that they must be uncle and nephew, as his sister’s name was Herzeloide.  He then informed Parzival of his mother’s death, and, after blessing him and giving him some hope that sincere repentance would sometime bring its own reward, allowed him to continue his search for the Holy Grail.

[Sidenote:  Fierefiss.] Soon after this meeting Parzival encountered a knight, who, laying lance in rest, challenged him to fight.  In one of the pauses of the battle he learned that his brave opponent was his stepbrother, Fierefiss, whom he joyfully embraced, and who now followed him on his almost endless quest.  At last they came to a mountain, painfully climbed its steep side, and, after much exertion, found themselves in front of a castle, which seemed strangely familiar to Parzival.

The doors opened, willing squires waited upon both brothers, and led them into the great hall, where the pageant already described was repeated.  When Queen Repanse de Joie entered bearing the Holy Grail, Parzival, mindful of his former failure to do the right thing, humbly prayed aloud for divine guidance to bring about the promised redemption.  An angel voice now seemed to answer, “Ask!” Then Parzival bent kindly over the wounded king, and gently inquired what ailed him.  At those words the spell was broken, and a long cry of joy arose as Amfortas, strong and well, sprang to his feet.

A very aged man, Parzival’s great-grandfather, Titurel, now drew near, bearing the crown, which he placed on the young hero’s head, as he hailed him as guardian and defender of the Holy Grail.  This cry was taken up by all present, and even echoed by the angelic choir.

“’Hail to thee, Percival, king of the Grail! 
Seemingly lost forever,
Now thou art blessed forever. 
Hail to thee, Percival, king of the Grail!’”

                                  WOLFRAM VON ESCHENBACH (McDowall’s tr.).