SIEGFRIED remained for a long time with Brunhilda at Isenheim (which was
the ancient name for Ireland), where all the buildings were of green
marble. He then started for home, promising her that he would return and
marry her, as soon as he had visited his parents, whom he now felt he
had treated very cruelly.
Brunhilda replied that she too thought that he ought to visit his
mother and father, but that he must promise to return as soon as he had
done so. He readily promised, and sealed his pledge by placing his magic
ring upon her finger. Then he set out for Niederland.
On the way thither, he had to pass through the city of Worms in
Burgundy. Now in this city dwelt a powerful king called Gunther, who
ruled over all Burgundy. He had an uncle named Hagen, who was his dead
father's brother, and who was also Gunther's most valued adviser on all
occasions. Gunther was so great and mighty that four and twenty kings
paid him tribute.
He had a sister, named Kriemhild, who was noted far and wide for her
wondrous beauty. Once Kriemhild had had a strange dream: She thought
that she was out hunting with her pet falcon, and that two fierce eagles
swooped down from the sky, and killed the bird before her eyes.
Now in these olden times people were very superstitious, and believed
that every dream had a meaning. Kriemhild related her dream to her
mother, Uota, and asked what it meant. Uota replied:
"The falcon signifies a noble man who will win you for his bride; but
the two eagles stand for two powerful enemies, who will cause his
death."
Then Kriemhild was very sad, and declared that she did not wish to marry
any one, as it would bring her only sorrow.
Not long after this Siegfried arrived at Worms, and although he knew no
one in all the city, everybody was anxious to learn who he was, he was
so handsome and noble looking. Hagen advised Gunther to make friends
with him, for he thought it very likely that the stranger might prove to
be Siegfried, whose fame was spreading fast.
Hagen related how Siegfried had killed the linden-monster, slain the
dragon, won the Rhine gold, and gained possession of the magic cap and
ring. When Uota heard all this, she determined that Siegfried should
marry her beautiful daughter. When he entered the castle at Worms,
Gunther received him cordially, and made haste to offer him both food
and drink. Siegfried accepted both gratefully, for he was hungry and
thirsty. Uota hastily prepared a magic potion, and no sooner had the
hero drunk it than all memory of the past, Brunhilda included, faded
from his mind.
[Illustration: UOTA GIVES SIEGFRIED THE MAGIC POTION]
Siegfried remained at Worms for one whole year, and in all that time he
never once got a glimpse of Kriemhild, although the fame of her beauty
reached him from every side. She, however, had seen him from her window
while he was tilting with her brother's knights, and she thought that
never before had she seen any one so brave and handsome.
Not long after this, the Danes and the Saxons declared war against
Gunther. He quickly gathered together his army, and set out to battle
with them. His two younger brothers, Giselherr and Gernot, went with
him, and Siegfried accompanied him as his body-guard.
And now began anxious days and nights for Kriemhild. She was filled with
dread lest her brothers or Siegfried be slain. She eagerly awaited
tidings of every battle. She heard that the Saxons and Danes were being
hard pressed, and also that the most brave and reckless warrior among
all the Burgundian hosts was her brother's guest and body-guard.
Not long after this, the Burgundians were victorious, and captured both
the Danish and the Saxon king. This ended the war, and Gunther and all
his troops returned to Worms, where the king held a great feast to
celebrate his victory. And here for the first time Siegfried saw
Kriemhild, and he thought her the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
He was almost afraid to speak to her, so wondrous was her beauty, but
she thanked him very prettily and gratefully for all that he had done
for her brother; and when he replied that everything he had done had
been done for her sake, she smiled and was content. Siegfried had fallen
deeply in love with her, and made up his mind to spare no effort to win
her for his bride.