When tidings reached King Kay Khosrow that Rostam, the invincible champion, had shattered the Turanian forces and freed Bizhan from the dark pit of Afrasiab, the righteous monarch fell upon his face in gratitude to Yazdan. The news swept across the realm, and Goudarz and Giv set forth with a splendid army, warhorns sounding and royal banners fluttering, to welcome the Lion of Zabulistan. The clattering hooves of horses turned the earth dark, and the blare of brass trumpets filled the air. Rostam advanced victoriously, driving before him a thousand Turanian captives and the spoils of war.
Upon beholding the legendary champion, Goudarz and Giv dismounted and showered praise upon Rostam, who had banished sorrow from the house of Kashvad and returned the lost Bizhan to his father's arms. Rostam brought Bizhan forward and presented him to Giv and Kay Khosrow, unbowing the heavy grief that had bent Giv's back for so long. Kay Khosrow embraced Rostam with fatherly warmth, extolling the glory of Zal, the blessed soil of Zabulistan, and the cosmic fortune that blessed Iran with such a guardian. A grand royal banquet was convened, filled with flowing wine, sweet harp melodies, jeweled crowns, and silver platters of pure musk and rosewater.
On the morrow, Rostam sought leave to return to Sistan, and Kay Khosrow bestowed upon him priceless treasures—brocaded Greek robes woven with gems, a royal crown, a goblet filled with brilliant jewels, a hundred noble steeds, a hundred laden camels, and fifty handmaidens with collars of gold. After Rostam's departure, Kay Khosrow summoned Bizhan to recount the story of his agony in the subterranean pit and the magnificent devotion of Afrasiab's daughter, Princess Manizheh. Moved to compassion by her plight, the King bestowed a hundred jeweled brocade robes, ten bags of gold dinars, a royal crown, and numerous servants upon Manizheh. He commanded Bizhan to treat her with utmost honor and affection, bidding him ponder the inscrutable wheel of Fate—which elevates the suffering from deep pits to high thrones, and hurls those nurtured in luxury into the dust of affliction.