Siegfried's Revenge
The news that Herwig had won the heart and hand of the beautiful Gudrun
soon spread to Moreland and filled King Siegfried, still smarting from
his own scornful rejection, with deadly hatred against the fortunate
suitor.
"Now will I kindle for thee, Sir Herwig," he shouted, "a wedding torch
that shall light thy whole land!"
Forthwith he had twenty ships made ready and filled with chosen knights.
Toward the end of May they reached the coast of Zealand, and then began
such a burning and slaying as never had been known before. Herwig at
once rode forth to meet his fierce enemy, and a long and desperate
battle followed. Red was the soil with the blood of the slain and
bravely did Herwig and his warriors fight, but at last they were forced
to yield to superior numbers and take refuge in a castle near by, where
they were safe for a time from the enemy. Siegfried laid siege to it;
but one of Herwig's knights succeeded in stealing through the enemy's
camp by night and, hastening to Hegelingen, told King Hetel of the
ravages Siegfried had committed in Zealand and of Herwig's dangerous
situation. When Gudrun heard these evil tidings she besought her father
to hasten to the aid of her betrothed.
"That will I gladly do, my daughter," cried the King, "Herwig shall see
'twas not in vain I swore faith with him, and straightway shall all our
friends be summoned hither."
Messengers were sent out in haste bidding his vassals join him prepared
for war without delay; and soon a host of gallant knights assembled with
their followers all eager for battle. First came old Wate, that
dauntless champion who never yet had known fear and of whose prowess
great tales were told. Then followed Morung, Irolt, Horand, and the aged
Frute. Had these heroes been in the royal castle when Herwig sought to
storm it, there might well have been a different ending to the fight!
The King's son Ortwin also donned his armor and begged permission to
accompany the expedition. He longed to prove his valor for the first
time and aid in avenging his sister's wrong.
Hetel at once took ship with all his forces and soon reached Zealand.
When Siegfried heard of their coming he set forth to meet them; then
there followed a fierce conflict wherein many a good helm and shield
were shattered, but neither side could claim a victory. With morning
light the struggle was renewed, but again the evening of the bloody day
brought no decisive result. So it went on for twelve long days, but when
on the thirteenth morning Siegfried surveyed his dwindling forces, he
knew he might no longer venture to wage open warfare; he retired with
the remnant of his army to a strong castle which was entirely surrounded
by water. Here at first he thought himself quite safe from Hetel's
swords and spears, but when he found the enemy closely besieging his
retreat he heartily wished himself back in his own land. After sending
messengers to Hegelingen to relieve the suspense of the Queen and
Gudrun, Hetel swore a solemn oath never to stir from that spot till
Siegfried should surrender,--a rash vow, that brought much sorrow to
him, as we shall see.