King Dietrich was one day about to mount his horse, and set out to
visit his brother monarch, the Emperor Ermenrich, when a warrior rode
into the court. The king at once knew him to be Heime. He was not much
pleased to see him back at Bern, but when Heime told him that he had
been victorious in many battles against giants and robbers, he
consented to receive him once more into the ranks of his comrades, and
desired him to accompany him and certain of his followers to Romaburg.
At Fritilaburg, where they rested, Dietrich accepted the offered
service of a man who called himself Ilmenrik, son of a Danish yeoman
Soti; and enrolled him amongst his servants.
When they came to Romaburg, they were received with all honour by the
emperor, who gave them both board and lodging. But the emperor forgot
one thing in his plans, and that was, to provide food for the servants.
Ilmenrik fed them the first night. On the second, his private resources
being exhausted, he pawned Heime’s armour and horse for ten gold
pieces; on the third, he pawned Wittich’s goods for twenty; and on the
fourth, he got thirty for the weapons and horse of the king. On the
fifth day, when the king gave orders for their return home, Ilmenrik
asked for money to free the articles he had pawned. Dietrich was
astonished and angry when he heard how extravagant his servant’s ideas
had been. He took him before Ermenrich, who at once said he would pay
the sum required, and asked how much it was. The emperor and all his
court made merry at Ilmenrik’s expense, especially Walter of
Wasgenstein (Vosges), who asked him if he was a were-wolf, and well up
in strange knowledge of all kinds. Ilmenrik modestly answered that he
had learnt to perform many feats of strength and skill from his father,
such as putting the stone and throwing the hammer; and that he would
wager his head against the lord of Wasgenstein’s that he could beat him
in this. Walter accepted his challenge, and the trial began.
Such skill as Ilmenrik displayed had never been seen before. The heroes
all feared for the life of the brave warrior of Wasgenstein. The
emperor then called the young victor to him.
“Hearken to me, young sir,” he said; “I will buy the head of my vassal
from you at whatever price you list. Gold for blood is the old law.”
“Fear not, sire,” answered Ilmenrik, “the head of the brave hero is in
no danger from me. I do not want it. But if you wish to do me a
kindness, lend me so much money as I have expended for the keep of the
servants, that I may redeem the weapons, garments, and horses that I
pawned.”
“Treasurer,” said the emperor, turning to one of his ministers, “weigh
out sixty marks of red gold, that the fellow may redeem his pledges,
and another sixty marks to fill his purse.”
“Thank you, my lord,” returned the young man, “I do not need your gift,
for I am a servant of the rich king of Bern, who will see that I lack
nothing; but if you will keep us another day here, I will, with this
sixty marks, treat the servants to a better feast than before, and also
my master, all his warriors, and you yourself, should you desire to
join the party, even if I have to pawn horses and coats of mail again.”
The warriors all laughed at the merry youth, but Heime frowned, and
said that if ever he pawned his horse again it should cost him his life.
The feast which the servant prepared them was of royal magnificence.
All were pleased except Heime, who secretly feared that his property
was again in pawn. The young fellow seated himself at his side, and
asked him in a low voice if he knew who had given him that scar on his
forehead. Heime answered that it was Dietleib, son of Yarl Biterolf,
adding that he would know him again in a moment, and that the scar
should be avenged in blood.
Ilmenrik replied:
“Methinks, bold warrior, your memory has gone a-wool-gathering. If you
look me in the face, you will see that I am that Dietleib whom you and
your robbers attacked as he was riding through a forest with his
father. We slew the robber Ingram and his companions, but you escaped
with that wound, thanks to the speed of your good horse. If you don’t
believe me, I have a witness here that will prove my words in the open
field. But if you will trust me, the matter may remain a secret between
us.”
Towards the end of the feast, Dietrich told the youth that he should no
longer be a servant, but should be received into the ranks of his
comrades; and he, thanking him, answered that he was really Dietleib,
son of Yarl Biterolf, whose glorious deeds were known far and wide.
All the king’s followers, except Heime, received the young hero into
their ranks with pleasure. He returned to Bern with the king, and
proved himself his trusty comrade in many an adventure. But he was of a
restless mind, and wished to see more of the world; so after a time he
took service under Etzel, king of the Huns, at whose court he found his
father settled. Father and son together were the doers of many a daring
deed. King Etzel, wishing to keep them in his service, offered them the
land of Steiermark (Styria) as a fief. Biterolf gave up his share to
his son, who was therefore surnamed the Styrian, but who often appears
in story by his right name of Dietleib the Dane.
[Illustration]
[Illustration: DWARFS BIND THE SLEEPING HEROES.]
III.
ADVENTURES. LAURIN. ILSAN