Dietrich and Hildebrand sent news to Bechelaren and to Worms of all
that had occurred. They chose the noble minstrel Swemmeling as their
ambassador, for they knew that he was tender-hearted, and would break
the news as gently as possible.
The Margravine and her daughter sat by an open window, watching the
clouds that rose in the east. Godelinde felt strangely anxious, a
presentiment of evil overpowered her, and she could not resist telling
her daughter.
She said that she feared evil news was coming, for she had dreamed the
night before that Queen Helche had appeared to her, surrounded by the
Burgundians, and many other warriors in full armour. “The queen,” added
Godelinde, “said that she wished all these heroes to go with her. She
took your father and Giselher by the hand, and led them away, the
others following. I wished to join the procession, but she signed to me
to go back. Then they all vanished in a grey mist, out of which a hill
seemed to rise like——”
She was interrupted by sounds of arrival. It was the procession of
mourners who had come under Swemmeling’s guidance. The Margravine
recognised Rüdiger’s horse and armour, and the meaning of her dream was
clear to her. But in the midst of all her grief, she tried to keep up,
that she might comfort her daughter, who sat at her side, pale with
terror.
The minstrel joined the ladies. The Margravine rose to meet him, and
said it was needless for him to tell his tale, for she knew what had
happened. A few moments later, they were able to listen to what
Swemmeling had to say; so they asked him how the noble Rüdiger had met
with his death. He took up his harp, and sang a song of the heroes who
had kept their faith, and had conquered in the battle of life. He told
how they come to the realms of Woden and of Freya, how they float over
earth and sea, and how they speak to their friends in the breath of the
wind and in the rustling of the leaves, and thus bring them comfort in
their sorrow.
After that he gave them all the details of what had occurred at
Etzelburg. On the following day Swemmeling had to continue his journey.
A few weeks after his departure, the Margravine died of grief, and
Dietelinde was left alone. She remained alone for a long time, but when
Dietrich reconquered the land of the Amelungs, he took the orphan from
Bechelaren, and brought her to his wife, the noble Herrat, at whose
court she won the love of a bold warrior, whom she afterwards married.
Swemmeling made his way to Worms as rapidly as he could.