A heavy storm arose as Siegfried and the bird neared the foot of the
mountain where Brunhilde slept. There were peals of deep thunder.
The sky grew very dark. The great boughs of the trees swayed with the
wind.
Siegfried took shelter under a low spreading fir.
The storm did not last long, and as the light again broke through the
clouds, Siegfried looked about for his little guide, but all in vain.
The bird had fled.
Siegfried started on up the mountain, when suddenly the giant Wotan
stood before him.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Wotan.