[Illustration: Then Mimer saw the bear, (see page 4)]

 TOLD TO THE CHILDREN SERIES

 EDITED BY LOUEY CHISHOLM

 STORIES OF

 SIEGFRIED

 TOLD TO THE CHILDREN BY

 MARY MACGREGOR

 WITH PICTURES BY

 GRANVILLE FELL

 LONDON: T. C. & E. C. JACK

 NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. 

 * * * * *

TO

DENIS

 * * * * *

Dear Denis, --Here is a story that I found in an old German poem calledthe Nibelungenlied. The poem is full of strange adventure, adventureof both tiny dwarf and stalwart mortal. 

Some of these adventures will fill this little book, and already I cansee you sitting in the nursery as you read them. 

The door is opened but you do not look up. 'Denis! Denis!' You arecalled, but you do not hear, for you are not really in the nursery anylonger. 

You have wandered away to Nibelheim, the home of the strange littlepeople of whom you are reading, and you have ears only for the harshvoices of the tiny Nibelungs, eyes only for their odd, wrinkled faces. 

Siegfried is the merry hero of the Nibelungenlied. I wonder will youthink him as brave as French Roland or as chivalrous as your Englishfavourite, Guy of Warwick? Yet even should you think the German herobrave and chivalrous as these, I can hardly believe you will read andre-read this little book as often as you read and re-read the volumeswhich told you about your French and English heroes. --Yoursaffectionately, MARY MACGREGOR. 

 * * * * *

CONTENTS

Chap. Page

I. Mimer the Blacksmith, 1

II. Siegfried wins the Treasure, 11

III. Siegfried comes home, 18

IV. Kriemhild's Dream, 23

V. Siegfried journeys to Worms, 27

VI. Siegfried's Welcome to Worms, 32

VII. Siegfried's Sojourn at Worms, 42

VIII. Siegfried sees Kriemhild, 59

IX. Siegfried goes to Isenland, 64

X. Siegfried subdues Brunhild, 71

XI. Siegfried goes to the Cave, 80

XII. The Wedding Feast, 87

XIII. Siegfried goes home with Kriemhild, 93

XIV. Siegfried and Kriemhild go to Worms, 99

XV. Siegfried is slain, 106

 * * * * *

LIST OF PICTURES

Then Mimer saw the bear, _Frontispiece_

 Facing page

'I will kill thee, for in truth thou art an ugly monster', 8

Seizing the magic sword, he cut off their heads, 16

Knighted by the royal hand of Siegmund the King, 20

The heroes entered the streets of Worms, 32

The maiden hurled her spear, 76

Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild, 86

While Siegfried drank of the cool, clear water, Hagenstabbed him, 114

 * * * * *

CHAPTER I

MIMER THE BLACKSMITH

Siegfried was born a Prince and grew to be a hero, a hero with a heartof gold. Though he could fight, and was as strong as any lion, yet hecould love too and be as gentle as a child. 

The father and mother of the hero-boy lived in a strong castle nearthe banks of the great Rhine river. Siegmund, his father, was a richking, Sieglinde, his mother, a beautiful queen, and dearly did theylove their little son Siegfried. 

The courtiers and the high-born maidens who dwelt in the castlehonoured the little Prince, and thought him the fairest child in allthe land, as indeed he was. 

Sieglinde, his queen-mother, would ofttimes dress her little son incostly garments and lead him by the hand before the proud, strongmen-at-arms who stood before the castle walls. Nought had they butsmiles and gentle words for their little Prince. 

When he grew older, Siegfried would ride into the country, yet alwayswould he be attended by King Siegmund's most trusted warriors. 

Then one day armed men entered the Netherlands, the country over whichKing Siegmund ruled, and the little Prince was sent away from thecastle, lest by any evil chance he should fall into the hands of thefoe. 

Siegfried was hidden away safe in the thickets of a great forest, anddwelt there under the care of a blacksmith, named Mimer. 

Mimer was a dwarf, belonging to a strange race of little folk calledNibelungs. The Nibelungs lived for the most part in a dark little townbeneath the ground. Nibelheim was the name of this little town andmany of the tiny men who dwelt there were smiths. All the livelong daythey would hammer on their little anvils, but all through the longnight they would dance and play with tiny little Nibelung women. 

It was not in the little dark town of Nibelheim that Mimer had hisforge, but under the trees of the great forest to which Siegfried hadbeen sent. 

As Mimer or his pupils wielded their tools the wild beasts would startfrom their lair, and the swift birds would wing their flight throughthe mazes of the wood, lest danger lay in those heavy, resoundingstrokes. 

But Siegfried, the hero-boy, would laugh for glee, and seizing theheaviest hammer he could see he would swing it with such force uponthe anvil that it would be splintered into a thousand pieces. 

Then Mimer the blacksmith would scold the lad, who was now thestrongest of all the lads under his care; but little heeding hisrebukes, Siegfried would fling himself merrily out of the smithy andhasten with great strides into the gladsome wood. For now the Princewas growing a big lad, and his strength was even as the strength often. 

To-day Siegfried was in a merry mood. He would repay Mimer's rebukesin right good fashion. He would frighten the little blacksmith dwarfuntil he was forced to cry for mercy. 

Clad in his forest dress of deerskins, with his hair as burnished goldblowing around his shoulders, Siegfried wandered away into the depthsof the woodland. 

There he seized the silver horn which hung from his girdle and raisedit to his lips. A long, clear note he blew, and ere the sound had diedaway the boy saw a sight which pleased him well. Here was good preyindeed! A bear, a great big shaggy bear was peering at him out of abush, and as he gazed the beast opened its jaws and growled, a fierceand angry growl. 

Not a whit afraid was Siegfried. Quick as lightning he had caught thegreat creature in his arms, and ere it could turn upon him, it wasmuzzled, and was being led quietly along toward the smithy. 

Mimer was busy at his forge sharpening a sword when Siegfried reachedthe doorway. 

At the sound of laughter the little dwarf raised his head. It was thePrince who laughed. Then Mimer saw the bear, [1] and letting the swordhe held drop to the ground with a clang, he ran to hide himself in thedarkest corner of the smithy. 

[Footnote 1: See frontispiece. ]

Then Siegfried laughed again. He was no hero-boy to-day, for next hemade the big bear hunt the little Nibelung dwarf from corner tocorner, nor could the frightened little man escape or hide himself indarkness. Again and again as he crouched in a shadowed corner, Siegfried would stir up the embers of the forge until all the smithywas lighted with a ruddy glow. 

At length the Prince tired of his game, and unmuzzling the bear hechased the bewildered beast back into the shelter of the woodlands. 

Mimer, poor little dwarf, all a-tremble with his fear, cried angrily, 'Thou mayest go shoot if so it please thee, and bring home thy deadprey. Dead bears thou mayest bring hither if thou wilt, but live bearsshalt thou leave to crouch in their lair or to roam through theforest. ' But Siegfried, the naughty Prince, only laughed at the littleNibelung's frightened face and harsh, croaking voice. 

Now as the days passed, Mimer the blacksmith began to wish thatSiegfried had never come to dwell with him in his smithy. The Princewas growing too strong, too brave to please the little dwarf, moreovermany were the mischievous tricks his pupil played on him. 

Prince though he was, Mimer would see if he could not get rid of histormentor. For indeed though, as I have told you, Siegfried had aheart of gold, at this time the gold seemed to have grown dim andtarnished. Perhaps that was because the Prince had learned to distrustand to dislike, nay, more, to hate the little, cunning dwarf. 

However that may be, it is certain that Siegfried played many pranksupon the little Nibelung, and he, Mimer, determined to get rid of thequick-tempered, strong-handed Prince. 

One day, therefore, it happened that the little dwarf told Siegfriedto go deep into the forest to bring home charcoal for the forge. Andthis Mimer did, though he knew that in the very part of the forest towhich he was sending the lad there dwelt a terrible dragon, namedRegin. Indeed Regin was a brother of the little blacksmith, and wouldbe lying in wait for the Prince. It would be but the work of a momentfor the monster to seize the lad and greedily to devour him. 

To Siegfried it was always joy to wander afar through the woodland. Ofttimes had he thrown himself down on the soft, moss-covered groundand lain there hour after hour, listening to the wood-birds' song. Sometimes he would even find a reed and try to pipe a tune as sweet asdid the birds, but that was all in vain, as the lad soon found. Notiny songster would linger to hearken to the shrill piping of hisgrassy reed, and the Prince himself was soon ready to fling it faraway. 

It was no hardship then to Siegfried to leave the forge and the hatedlittle Nibelung, therefore it was that with right good-will he set outin search of charcoal for Mimer the blacksmith. 

As he loitered there where the trees grew thickest, Siegfried took hishorn and blew it lustily. If he could not pipe on a grassy reed, atleast he could blow a rousing note on his silver horn. 

[Illustration: "I will kill thee, for in truth thou art an uglymonster"]

Suddenly as Siegfried blew, the trees seemed to sway, the earth togive out fire. Regin, the dragon, had roused himself at the blast, andwas even now drawing near to the Prince. 

It was at the mighty strides of the monster that the trees had seemedto tremble, it was as he opened his terrible jaws that the earth hadseemed to belch out fire. 

For a little while Siegfried watched the dragon in silence. Then helaughed aloud, and a brave, gay laugh it was. Alone in the forest, with a sword buckled to his side, the hero was afraid of naught, noteven of Regin. The ugly monster was sitting now on a little hillock, looking down upon the lad, his victim as he thought. 

Then Siegfried called boldly to the dragon, 'I will kill thee, for intruth thou art an ugly monster. '

At those words Regin opened his great jaws, and showed his terriblefangs. Yet still the boy Prince mocked at the hideous dragon. 

And now Regin in his fury crept closer and closer to the lad, swinginghis great tail, until he well-nigh swept Siegfried from his feet. 

Swiftly then the Prince drew his sword, well tempered as he knew, forhad not he himself wrought it in the forge of Mimer the blacksmith?Swiftly he drew his sword, and with one bound he sprang upon thedragon's back, and as he reared himself, down came the hero's shiningsword and pierced into the very heart of the monster. Thus asSiegfried leaped nimbly to the ground, the dragon fell back dead. Regin was no longer to be feared. 

Then Siegfried did a curious thing. He had heard the little Nibelungmen who came to the smithy to talk with Mimer, he had heard them saythat whoever should bathe in the blood of Regin the dragon wouldhenceforth be safe from every foe. For his skin would grow so toughand horny that it would be to him as an armour through which no swordor spear could ever pierce. 

Thinking of the little Nibelungs' harsh voices and wrinkled littlefaces, as they had sat talking thus around Mimer's glowing forge, Siegfried now flung aside his deerskin dress and bathed himself fromtop to toe in the dragon's blood. 

But as he bathed, a leaf from off a linden tree was blown upon hisshoulders, and on the spot where it rested Siegfried's skin was stillsoft and tender as when he was a little child. It was only a tiny spotwhich was covered by the linden leaf, but should a spear thrust, or anarrow pierce that tiny spot, Siegfried would be wounded as easily asany other man. 

The dragon was dead, the bath was over, and clad once more in hisdeerskin, Siegfried set out for the smithy. He brought no charcoal forthe forge; all that he carried with him was a heart afire with anger, a sword quivering to take the life of the Nibelung, Mimer. 

For now Siegfried knew that the dwarf had wished to send him forth todeath, when he bade him go seek charcoal in the depths of the forest. 

Into the dusky glow of the smithy plunged the hero, and swiftly heslew the traitor Mimer. Then gaily, for he had but slain evil ones ofwhom the world was well rid, then gaily Siegfried fared through theforest in quest of adventure. 

CHAPTER II

SIEGFRIED WINS THE TREASURE

Now this is what befell the Prince. 

In his wanderings he reached the country called Isenland, where thewarlike but beautiful Queen Brunhild reigned. He gazed with wonder ather castle, so strong it stood on the edge of the sea, guarded byseven great gates. Her marble palaces also made him marvel, so whitethey glittered in the sun. 

But most of all he marvelled at this haughty queen, who refused tomarry any knight unless he could vanquish her in every contest towhich she summoned him. 

Brunhild from the castle window saw the fair face and the strong limbsof the hero, and demanded that he should be brought into her presence, and as a sign of her favour she showed the young Prince her magichorse Gana. 

Yet Siegfried had no wish to conquer the warrior-queen and gain herhand and her broad dominions for his own. Siegfried thought only of awonder-maiden, unknown, unseen as yet, though in his heart he hid animage of her as he dreamed that she would be. 

It is true that Siegfried had no love for the haughty Brunhild. It isalso true that he wished to prove to her that he alone was a match forall her boldest warriors, and had even power to bewitch her magicsteed, Gana, if so he willed, and steal it from her side. 

And so one day a spirit of mischief urged the Prince on to a gayprank, as also a wayward spirit urged him no longer to brook QueenBrunhild's haughty mien. 

Before he left Isenland, therefore, Siegfried in a merry mood threw tothe ground the seven great gates that guarded the Queen's strongcastle. Then he called to Gana, the magic steed, to follow him intothe world, and this the charger did with right good-will. 

Whether Siegfried sent Gana back to Isenland or not I do not know, butI know that in the days to come Queen Brunhild never forgave the herofor his daring feat. 

When the Prince had left Isenland he rode on and on until he came to agreat mountain. Here near a cave he found two little dwarfishNibelungs, surrounded by twelve foolish giants. The two littleNibelungs were princes, the giants were their counsellors. 

Now the King of the Nibelungs had but just died in the dark littleunderground town of Nibelheim, and the two tiny princes were the sonsof the dead king. 

But they had not come to the mountain-side to mourn for their royalfather. Not so indeed had they come, but to divide the great hoard oftreasure which the King had bequeathed to them at his death. 

Already they had begun to quarrel over the treasure, and the twelvefoolish giants looked on, but did not know what to say or do, so theydid nothing, and never spoke at all. 

The dwarfs had themselves carried the hoard out of the cave whereusually it was hidden, and they had spread it on the mountain-side. 

There it lay, gold as far as the eye could see, and farther. Jewels, too, were there, more than twelve waggons could carry away in fourdays and nights, each going three journeys. 

Indeed, however much you took from this marvellous treasure, never didit seem to grow less. 

But more precious even than the gold or the jewels of the hoard was awonderful sword which it possessed. It was named Balmung, and had beentempered by the Nibelungs in their glowing forges underneath the gladgreen earth. 

Before the magic strength of Balmung's stroke, the strongest warriormust fall, nor could his armour save him, however close its links hadbeen welded by some doughty smith. 

As Siegfried rode towards the two little dwarfs, they turned and sawhim, with his bright, fair face, and flowing locks. 

Nimble as little hares they darted to his side, and begged that hewould come and divide their treasure. He should have the good swordBalmung as reward, they cried. 

Siegfried dismounted, well pleased to do these ugly little men akindness. 

But alas! ere long the dwarfs began to mock at the hero with theirharsh voices, and to wag their horrid little heads at him, while theyscreamed in a fury that he was not dividing the treasure as theywished. 

Then Siegfried grew angry with the tiny princes, and seizing the magicsword, he cut off their heads. The twelve foolish giants also he slew, and thus became himself master of the marvellous hoard as well as ofthe good sword Balmung. 

Seven hundred valiant champions, hearing the blast of the hero's horn, now gathered together to defend the country from this strange youngwarrior. But he vanquished them all, and forced them to promise thatthey would henceforth serve no other lord save him alone. And thisthey did, being proud of his great might. 

Now tidings of the slaughter of the two tiny princes had reachedNibelheim, and great was the wrath of the little men and little womenwho dwelt in the dark town beneath the earth. 

Alberich, the mightiest of all the dwarfs, gathered together his armyof little gnomes to avenge the death of the two dwarf princes andalso, for Alberich was a greedy man, to gain for himself the greathoard. 

[Illustration: Seizing the magic sword, he cut off their heads]

When Siegfried saw Alberich at the head of his army of little men helaughed aloud, and with a light heart he chased them all into thegreat cave on the mountain-side. 

From off the mighty dwarf, Alberich, he stripped his famous Cloak ofDarkness, which made him who wore it not only invisible, but strong astwelve strong men. He snatched also from the dwarf's fingers hiswishing rod, which was a Magic Wand. And last of all he made Alberichand his thousands of tiny warriors take an oath, binding them evermoreto serve him alone. Then hiding the treasure in the cave with theseven hundred champions whom he had conquered, he left Alberich andhis army of little men to guard it, until he came again. And Alberichand his dwarfs were faithful to the hero who had shorn them of theirtreasure, and served him for evermore. 

Siegfried, the magic sword Balmung by his side, the Cloak of Darknessthrown over his arm, the Magic Wand in his strong right hand, wentover the mountain, across the plains, nor did he tarry until he cameagain to the castle built on the banks of the river Rhine in his ownlow-lying country of the Netherlands. 

CHAPTER III

SIEGFRIED COMES HOME

The walls of the old castle rang. King Siegmund, his knights andliegemen, all were welcoming Prince Siegfried home. They had not seentheir hero-prince since he had been sent long years before to be underthe charge of Mimer the blacksmith. 

He had grown but more fair, more noble, they thought, as they gazedupon his stalwart limbs, his fearless eyes. 

And what tales of prowess clustered around his name! Already theirPrince had done great deeds as he had ridden from land to land. 

The King and his liegemen had heard of the slaughter of the terribledragon, of the capture of the great treasure, of the defiance of thewarlike and beautiful Brunhild. They could wish for no more renownedprince than their own Prince Siegfried. 

Thus Siegmund and his subjects rejoiced that the heir to the thronewas once again in his own country. 

In the Queen's bower, too, there was great joy. Sieglinde wept, buther tears were not those of sadness. Sieglinde wept for very gladnessthat her son had come home safe from his wonderful adventures. 

Now Siegmund wished to give a great feast in honour of his son. Itshould be on his birthday which was very near, the birthday on whichthe young Prince would be twenty-one years of age. 

Far and wide throughout the Netherlands and into distant realmstidings of the feast were borne. Kinsmen and strangers, lords andladies all were asked to the banquet in the great castle hall whereSiegmund reigned supreme. 

It was the merry month of June when the feast was held, and the sunshone bright on maidens in fair raiment, on knights in burnishedarmour. 

[Illustration: Knighted by the royal hand of Siegmund the King. ]

Siegfried was to be knighted on this June day along with four hundredyoung squires of his father's realm. The Prince was clad in gorgeousarmour, and on the cloak flung around his shoulders jewels were seento sparkle in the sunlight, jewels made fast with gold embroideryworked by the white hands of the Queen and her fair damsels. 

In games and merry pastimes the hours of the day sped fast away, untilthe great bell of the Minster pealed, calling the gay company to thehouse of God for evensong. Siegfried and the four hundred squiresknelt before the altar, ere they were knighted by the royal hand ofSiegmund the King. 

The solemn service ended, the new-made knights hastened back to thecastle, and there in the great hall a mighty tournament was held. Knights who had grown grey in service tilted with those who but thatday had been given the grace of knighthood. Lances splintered, shieldsfell before the mighty onslaughts of the gallant warriors, until KingSiegmund bade the tilting cease. 

Then in the great hall feasting and song held sway until daylightfaded and the stars shone bright. 

Yet no weariness knew the merry-makers. The next morning, and for sixlong summer days, they tilted, they sang, they feasted. 

When at length the great festival drew to a close, Siegmund in thepresence of his guests gave to his dear son Siegfried many lands andstrong castles over which he might be lord. 

To all his son's comrades, too, the King gave steeds and costlyraiment, while Queen Sieglinde bestowed upon them freely coins ofgold. Such abundant gifts had never before been dreamed of as werethus lavished by Siegmund and Sieglinde on their guests. 

As the rich nobles looked upon the brave young Prince Siegfried, therewere some who whispered among themselves that they would fain have himto rule in the land. 

Siegfried heard their whispers, but in no wise did he give heed to thewish of the nobles. 

Never, he thought, while his beautiful mother and his bounteous fatherlived, would he wear the crown. 

Indeed Siegfried had no wish to sit upon a throne, he wished but tosubdue the evil-doers in the land. Or better still he wished to goforth in search of new adventure. And this right soon he did. 

CHAPTER IV

KRIEMHILD'S DREAM

Now in the Kingdom of Burgundy the court sat in the city of Worms, acity built on the banks of the great Rhine river. 

At this court dwelt a beautiful Princess named Kriemhild. Morebeautiful was she than any other maiden in the wide world. Gentle andkind too she was, so that her fame had spread to many a far-off land. 

The King, her father, had died when Kriemhild was a tiny maiden. Hermother was Queen Uté, who loved well her beautiful and gentledaughter. 

But though the maiden's father was dead, she was well guarded by herthree royal brothers, King Gunther, King Gernot, and King Giselher. 

It was King Gunther, Kriemhild's eldest brother, who sat upon thethrone, and it was to him that the liegemen took their oath of fealty. 

King Gunther's chief counsellor was his uncle, a cruel man, whose namewas Hagen. 

There was great wealth and splendour at the Court of Worms, and manynobles and barons flocked thither to take service under King Gunther'sbanners. 

Now one night it chanced that Kriemhild dreamed a strange dream. Asshe lay in her soft, white bed it seemed to the Princess that abeautiful hawk, with feathers of gold, came and perched upon herwrist. 

Strong and wild was the bird, but in her dream Kriemhild fondled andpetted it until it grew quiet and tame. Then the Princess dressedherself for the hunt, and with her hawk on her wrist set out with herthree royal brothers to enjoy the sport. 

No sooner, however, did the maiden loosen the hawk from off her wristthan it soared upward toward the bright blue sky. 

Then the dream-maiden saw two mighty eagles swoop down upon her pettedhawk, and bearing it away in their cruel talons, tear it into pieces. 

When the Princess awoke and remembered her dream she trembled forfear. In the early dawn the beautiful maiden slipped into her mother'sbower. Perchance the Queen would be able to tell her the meaning ofher dream. 

Queen Uté listened kindly to her daughter's fears, but when she heardof the two cruel eagles she covered her face with her fair white handsand answered slowly: 'The hawk, my daughter, is a noble knight whoshall be thy husband, but, alas, unless God defend him from his foes, thou shalt lose him ere he has long been thine. '

But the beautiful maiden tossed her head, forgetting the sorrow of herdream, and cried with a light heart, 'O lady mother, I wish no knightto woo me from thy side. Merry and glad is my life here in our courtat Worms, and here will I dwell with thee and my three royalbrothers. '

'Nay, ' said the Queen, 'speak not thus, fair daughter, for God willsend to thee a noble knight and strong. '

Yet still the maiden laughed. She knew not that even now a hero ofgreat renown was on his way to the royal city, a hero who already borethe maiden's image in his heart, and hoped to win her one day for hisbride. 

CHAPTER V

SIEGFRIED JOURNEYS TO WORMS

To the Netherlands, as to many another land, came rumours of thebeauty and the gentleness of the Princess Kriemhild. Siegfried atfirst paid little heed to what he heard of a wonder-maid who dwelt inthe famous court of Worms. Yet by and by he began to think she wasstrangely like the unknown maid whose image he carried in his heart. 

When he heard that many knights had ridden far that they might seethis fair Princess, he made up his mind that he also would go thitherto the court at Worms. 

Siegmund and Sieglinde had often begged the Prince to wed some greatprincess. He thought, therefore, that they would be well pleased thathe was going into Burgundy to see the beautiful maiden Kriemhild. 

But the King and Queen were grieved when they knew that Siegfried mustleave them. Kriemhild, it was true, was as good as she was beautiful, but two of her brothers were proud and haughty men of Burgundy, moreover their uncle Hagen had a grim and cruel temper, and it was hewho really ruled the land. It might be that their son would not bewelcomed to the court at Worms, and ill might betide him in a strangecountry. 

Yet Siegfried would have his way. He must certainly go to Burgundy towoo the gentle maiden who had already sent many knights away, unmovedby all their vows of courtesy and love. For, indeed, no knight yet hadthe lady seen whom she would call her lord. 

Then Siegmund, seeing that Siegfried had determined to go to Worms, warned him that King Gunther was too weak to be trusted, while Hagenhis chief counsellor was so powerful at court that he might work illon whom he would. 

As of old, the hero laughed aloud. 

'Should Hagen deny what I shall ask in courtesy, he shall learn thatstrong is my right hand!' cried the Prince. 'His country and hiskings I will surely wrest from him if he treat me with disdain. '

'Speak not thus foolishly, ' said King Siegmund. 'Should thy wild wordsbe carried to Hagen's ears, thou wouldst never be allowed to cross theborders of his country. If go thou must to Burgundy, take with thee anarmed force. See, I will summon my warriors to follow thee lest dangerbefall. '

'Nay, but an army will I not take with me, lest Gunther dream I havecome to invade his land. I, with eleven brave knights to follow me, will ride to Burgundy. Your help do I crave, good father. Give me, Ipray thee, eleven stalwart warriors. '

Then Siegmund called for eleven of his bravest knights, and bade themprepare to follow their Prince. 

Meanwhile Queen Sieglinde had been weeping bitterly for fear lest herdear son should fall into danger in King Gunther's country. 

But Siegfried stole to her side, and taking her frail, white hands inhis strong ones, he said tenderly, 'Lady mother, I pray thee weepnot, neither fear for me. ' Then, knowing well what would please theQueen best, he pleaded with her to aid him in his adventure. 

'Provide me and my eleven knights with beautiful garments, ' thus hecoaxed his lady mother, 'that we may go to Burgundy clad as proudheroes should. '

Swiftly the Queen dried her tears. 'If go thou must, dear son, ' shesaid, 'thou shalt go clothed in the best apparel ever warrior wore, thou and also thy brave comrades. '

Thus day by day, while the eleven warriors polished their armour untilit shone as the noontide sun, Sieglinde and her maidens sat stitching, stitching. Gladly they stitched, nor ever did their fingers loiter attheir seams until Prince Siegfried's garments were complete. 

At length all was ready and Siegfried and his eleven brave warriorstook farewell of their native land. Gently the bold hero kissed hislady mother as once again her sad tears fell. 'Fear not, dear mother, 'he said, 'fear not; ere long I will return and bring with me thebeauteous maiden Kriemhild. ' Yet the Queen and her maidens wept, andover the little band of knights a sudden gloom fell, they knew notwhy. 

But ere long as they journeyed along, gay thoughts cheered thewarriors, laughter and merry jests filled the air, for were they notgoing forward to fame and fair adventure. 

For six days Siegfried and his knights journeyed, and on the sevenththey reached the sandbank by the Rhine which led them into Worms. Boldly, and clad in their most costly garments, the Prince and hiscompanions entered the royal city. 

CHAPTER VI

SIEGFRIED'S WELCOME TO WORMS

[Illustration: The heroes entered the streets of Worms]

As the heroes entered the streets of Worms the people came out oftheir houses all agape with wonder. Who could the bold strangers be?See how their horses' trappings shone as burnished gold and how theirwhite armour glittered in the sunlight. 

Then down from the castle rode Gunther's warriors to welcome thestrangers. Right courteously did they greet Siegfried and his elevenbrave knights. As the custom was, they sent their minions to lead awaythe strangers' chargers to the stalls, and to bear their shields to aplace of safety. 

But Siegfried cried gaily, 'Nay, from our steeds and our armour willwe not part, for ere long I and my gallant warriors will ride awayagain to our own country. I pray thee now tell me where I shallfind thy King, for to speak with him came I thither. '

'King Gunther, ' cried his warriors, 'is even now seated in yonderhall, and around him are gathered many gallant heroes, many braveknights. '

Now in the hall tidings had reached King Gunther of the band ofstrangers who had so boldly entered into the royal city. 

When he heard of their gorgeous raiment and their shining armour, muchdid he desire to know from whence they came. 

Then one of his lords said to the King, 'We know not who thesestrangers be, yet if thou wilt send for Hagen, it may be he can tellthee. For to Hagen strange lands are well known, as also the kings andprinces who dwell therein. '

Therefore Hagen was summoned in all haste to the presence of KingGunther. 

'Tell me now, ' said the King, as his counsellor bowed low before him, 'tell me, if in truth thou knowest, who be these strangers that rideso boldly towards the castle?'

Strong and stern Hagen stood up before the King. No winsome hero wasthis man, but a warrior fierce and grim, with eyes to pierce all onwhom he gazed, so keen, so quick they were. 

'The truth, sire, will I tell to thee, ' answered Hagen, and he walkedover to the castle window, flung it wide and cast his searching glanceon Siegfried and his noble knights, who were now drawing near to thecastle. 

Well was the grim counsellor pleased with the splendour of thesestrangers with their shining helmets, their dazzling white armour, their noble chargers, yet from whence they came he could not tell. 

Hagen turned from the window to where the King stood awaiting hisanswer. 

'Whence come these knights I know not, ' he said. 'Yet so noble istheir bearing that they must needs be princes or ambassadors from somegreat monarch. One knight, the fairest and the boldest, is, methinks, the wondrous hero Siegfried, though never have I seen that mightyPrince. '

Then, his fierce eyes gleaming, Hagen told the King of the greattreasure Siegfried had won from the Nibelungs. His eyes gleamed witha greed he could not hide as he told King Gunther of the gold that hadbeen strewed upon the mountain-side, of the jewels that had sparkledthere, for Hagen was envious of the riches of the great hero. 

He told the King, too, how Siegfried had seized the good swordBalmung, and with it had killed the two little princely dwarfs, theirtwelve giants and seven hundred great champions of the neighbouringcountry. Of Alberich, too, Hagen told his master, of Alberich fromwhom Siegfried had taken the Cloak of Darkness and the Magic Wand, andwho now guarded the hoard for the mighty hero alone. 

Never was such a warrior as Siegfried, thought King Gunther, who washimself neither strong nor brave. 

But yet more had Hagen to tell, even how Siegfried had slain a greatdragon and bathed in its blood until his skin grew tough and horny, sothat no sword-thrust could do him any hurt. 

But of the linden leaf and of the tiny spot between the hero'sshoulders where he could be smitten as easily as any other knight, ofthese things Hagen, knowing nothing, did not speak. 

'Let us hasten to receive this young Prince, ' said the counsellor, 'asbefits his fame. Let us hasten to gain his good-will lest our countrysuffer from his prowess. '

The King was well pleased with the counsel of his uncle Hagen, for ashe gazed at the young hero from the castle window King Gunther lovedhim for his strength of limb, for his fair young face, and would fainwelcome him to the land of Burgundy. 

'If in truth the knight be Siegfried, ' said the King, 'right glad amI. More bold and peerless a prince have I never seen. '

'Siegfried, if so he be, is the son of a wealthy king, ' said Hagen. 'Well pleased would I be to know for what purpose he and his knightshave journeyed to our land. '

'Let us go down and welcome the strangers, ' said Gunther. 'If theirerrand be peaceful they shall tarry at our court and see how merry theknights of Burgundy can be. '

With Hagen by his side and followed by his courtiers, Gunther thenwalked toward the gates of the castle, which he reached as Siegfriedand his knights rode through them. 

Graciously then did the King welcome the noble knight, and Siegfried, bowing low, thanked him for his kindly greeting. 

'I beseech thee, noble knight, ' said the King, 'tell me why thou hastjourneyed to this our royal city, for thy purpose is yet unknown. '

Now Siegfried was not ready to speak of the fair Princess of whom hehad heard in his own country, so he answered the King thus:

'Tidings reached me in my fatherland of the splendour of thy court, OKing. Never monarch was more bold, more brave than thou, never rulerhad more valiant warriors. Such tales were told to me by the people ofmy land and I have come to see if they be true. I also, King Gunther, am a warrior, and I, too, shall one day wear a crown, for I amSiegfried, Prince of the Netherlands. Nor shall I be content until Ihave done great deeds to make the whole world marvel. For then intruth will people cry aloud that I am worthy to reign. '

At that moment Siegfried caught sight of Hagen's grim, stern face, andsomething he saw in it provoked the gay prince to say right hardily, 'Therefore to do great deeds have I come to Worms, even to wrest fromthee, King Gunther, thy broad realm of Burgundy and likewise all thycastles. They shall be mine ere many suns have set. '

Then indeed did the King and all his warriors marvel at the bold youngknight. 'Was ever heard so monstrous a plan?' murmured the warriorseach to the other. 'The stripling from a foreign land, with but elevenbold knights to aid him, would seize Burgundy and banish the King fromhis realm. It is a monstrous plan. '

'Thou dost repay my welcome but coldly, ' said Gunther to the valorousknight 'My fathers ruled over these lands; with honour did they rule. Wherefore then shall they be taken from their son?'

But Siegfried cried, 'Thyself must fight and win peace for thyfatherland. For unless thou dost conquer me I shall rule in my greatmight in this realm, and when I die it shall be my heir who shallbecome king. '

Then Gunther's brother, King Gernot, spoke, and peaceful were hiswords. 

'We rule over a fair country, bold knight, and our liegemen serve usin all good faith. No need have we to fight for this our fatherland. Therefore do thou go and leave us in peace. '

But King Gunther's warriors listened sullenly to the words of Gernot, and they muttered, 'Such words shall scarce save the braggartstranger, for hath he not challenged our King to fight, ' and the handsof the stout warriors crept to their sword-hilts. 'We will master thishaughty Prince, ' they cried aloud then in their anger. 

Hot was Siegfried's temper as he heard their words, and proudly did heanswer, 'Ye are all but vassals and would ye measure swords with me, aking's son? Nor, should ye fall on me altogether, could ye hope toovercome me, ' and Siegfried swung aloft his good sword Balmung. Thenone of the stout warriors whom Siegfried thus defied called lustilyfor his armour and his shield. 

But again King Gernot spoke. 'Not yet hath Siegfried done us any hurt, let us not provoke him to fierce deeds, rather let us seek to gain hisgood-will. '

King Gunther looked at Hagen. He was not content that his chiefcounsellor should keep silence. And indeed at that very moment Hagen'sstern voice was heard. 

'We do well to be wrathful at the words of this bold stripling, ' hesaid, his keen eyes glancing fiercely meanwhile at Gernot. 'We do wellto be wrathful, for why should Siegfried thus mock at us who havenever done him aught of ill?'

'Dost think I but mock thee with my words, ' cried the rash knight. 'Ere long thou shalt see the deeds which my strong right hand shall doin this fair land of Burgundy. '

Again amid the angry tumult Gernot's voice was raised, forbidding hiswarriors to answer the stranger with harsh words. 

As Gernot's peaceful voice fell upon Siegfried's ear for the thirdtime, he began to think of Kriemhild, the wonder-lady of his dreams. He grew ashamed of his anger. He would curb it lest he should neverwin the Princess for his bride. 

Then Gernot, seeing the fierceness die out of the stranger's face, spoke yet again. 'Thou shalt be welcome, thou and thy comrades, toWorms, and right glad will we be to serve thee, ' and Gernot orderedgoblets of the King's wine to be brought to the strange guests. 

Siegfried and his knights took the goblets, and having drained themthey were ready to forget their warlike words. 

King Gunther, seeing that his guests were no longer angry, led them tothe banqueting hall, and Siegfried was soon laughing his own glad, gaylaugh. When at length the feast was ended the stranger knights werelodged each as befitted his rank. 

Then throughout the fair land of Burgundy there stole the story of theKing's bold hero guest, Sir Siegfried. 

CHAPTER VII

SIEGFRIED'S SOJOURN AT WORMS

At the court of Worms high festival was held to do honour to Siegfriedand his eleven brave warriors. It is true that his boldness when heentered the city had made the Kings and their liegemen wish to servethe dauntless hero, yet now it was not of his boldness that theythought, but of his happy, winsome ways. Indeed it was but a shorttime until he was the most favoured Prince in all the gallant throngof courtiers that gathered round King Gunther in his royal city. 

Only one in all the country hated the gallant Prince of theNetherlands, and that one was the stern and fierce-eyed Hagen; but ofthe counsellor's ill-will the light-hearted hero knew nought. 

Merry were the frolics, gay the pastimes at the court of Worms, andin every game and sport Siegfried was the most skilful. 

Did the warriors hurl the stone? None could hurl it as far as couldSiegfried. Did they leap? No one ever leaped as far as did the Prince. Did they go a-hunting? No one brought down the prey as often as didthe hero. Did they tilt in the tournament? Siegfried it was who evergained the prize. Yet none was envious of the Prince, so glad he was, so light of heart. 

When games were held in the great castle hall, ladies clad in garmentsof richest hue, and sparkling with gems of ruddy gold, would come intothe galleries. And ever as they watched the gallant knights their eyeswould follow the most gallant of them all, the hero Siegfried. Butamong these fair counts and ladies the Princess Kriemhild was never tobe seen, and Siegfried had no thought to spare for any other damsel. In his heart was ever the image of the maiden whom he had come hitherto win. 

The Princess might not go down to the great hall to see thetournament, yet as she sat in her tower she would ofttimes think ofthe mighty strength of this hero, of his heart of gold. And almostbefore she was aware Kriemhild had found the Prince whom she wouldgladly call her lord. 

When she heard the knights running and leaping in the courtyard, Kriemhild would lay her seam aside, and Princess though she was, shewould run to her lattice window, and peeping through, she would watchher hero with glad eyes, victor in every pastime. Nor would she turnaway until the sports were ended and the courtyard once again grewsilent and deserted. 

Siegfried did not know that Kriemhild's glad eyes were peeping throughher lattice window, and had he known he would scarce have dared todream that her glance was fixed on no other save on him alone. 

Indeed sometimes the hero's heart misgave him. When would he see themaiden whom he loved? Had she no pleasure in his knightly games, nosmile to give him for his skill? Nay, she was as great a stranger tohim now as when he had ridden into the royal city of Worms in hope togain her favour. 

Thus for one whole year Siegfried dwelt with the three Kings ofBurgundy, and during all that time he never once saw the wonder-ladyof his dreams, the Princess Kriemhild. 

At the end of the year King Gunther's fair realm of Burgundy wasthreatened with invasion and with mighty wars. No longer did thecastle hall at Worms ring with the merry pastimes of the courtiers. All was grave, silent, for King Gunther and his brothers and hiscounsellors were in sore distress. 

That day heralds had ridden into the land and demanded audience ofKing Gunther. 

'Now who hath sent you hither?' said the King in angry mood. 

'Our masters, ' cried the heralds. 'King Ludegast and King Ludeger havesent us to warn thee that they hate thee and will invade thy land. With great armies will they come to thy realm of Burgundy. Withintwelve weeks will they be here, unless thou dost offer a ransom forthy kingdom. '

'Tarry a little, ' said Gunther, 'until I have spoken with mycounsellors, then shall ye carry my answer back to thy masters. '

King Gernot had heard the challenge of the heralds, and dauntless hecried, 'Our good swords shall defend us. What fear we from the foreignhost!'

But Hagen cried, 'Ludegast and Ludeger are fierce, and evil willovertake us, for scarce have we time in which to gather our liegementogether ere the foe will be in our land. Speak thou, O King, unto thehero Siegfried. It may be that his powers can help us now. '

Meanwhile King Gunther commanded that the heralds should be lodgedwith all due courtesy, and this he did for the sake of his fair fame. 

Now as Gunther sat brooding over the evil which seemed as though itwould overtake his land, Siegfried came to his side. He knew no reasonfor the King's distress. 

'What hath come to pass, ' said the hero, 'that all our merry pastimesare ended? For since ever I came into the fair land of Burgundy haththe castle hall of thy royal city echoed with the ring of knightlydeeds, and tilts and jousts have long held sway. Why, therefore, arethe merry pastimes ended, and wherefore dost thou sit here thus sadand downcast?'

'Not to everyone, ' said King Gunther, 'would I tell my sorrow, nay, tonone save a steadfast friend dare I declare it. '

When Siegfried heard the King's words, his fair face flushed, thenpaled again. 

'Already, ' cried the hero, 'have I followed thee in time of need. Forindeed during the year which he had spent at Worms, Siegfried had gonewith Gunther on more than one foray into the neighbouring kingdoms. 

'Now, ' he continued, 'now if trouble hath come to thee my arm isstrong to bring thee aid. I will be thy friend if thou art willingwhile life is mine. '

'God reward thee, Sir Siegfried!' cried King Gunther, and right gladof heart was he. 'It may be I shall not need thy strength to aid me inmy battles, yet do I rejoice that thou art my friend. Never while mylife lasts shalt thou be sorry for thy words. '

Then King Gunther told to the brave knight the insolent message whichthe heralds had brought from their masters, Ludegast and Ludeger. 

'Thou needst not be troubled at these tidings, ' said the youngknight. 'If thy foes were as many as thirty thousand, yet with onethousand warriors would I destroy them. Therefore leave the battle inmy hands. '

King Gunther, for he was not very brave, rejoiced at Siegfried'swords, and scattered his fears to the four winds. 

Then he sent for the heralds, and bade them return to their masters tosay that King Gunther defied their threats, and in proof thereof wouldere long send an army to punish them for their insolence. 

Now when the heralds reached their own country with these tidings, King Ludegast of Denmark, and King Ludeger the Saxon, who was hisbrother, were filled with dread. Moreover the heralds told them thatthe famous hero Siegfried would fight for Burgundy, and when theyheard that the hearts of the rude kings failed for fear. 

In great haste they gathered together their warriors, and soonLudegast had twenty thousand men ready to defend his land. Ludeger theSaxon, too, had called together even more than forty thousand men, andthe two armies formed a mighty host. 

King Gunther meanwhile had assembled his men, and the chief commandwas given to Hagen with the grim face and the piercing eyes. 

When Siegfried saw that Gunther was buckling on his armour he drewnear to him, and said, 'Sir King, stay thou at home in the royal cityand guard the women. Neither dost thou have any fear, for in goodsooth, I can protect both thine honour and thy men. '

And King Gunther stayed in the royal city while his warriors wentforth to battle. 

From the Rhine river Gunther's vast army marched toward the Saxoncountry, and all along the borders they smote those who were in favourof their foes, until fear fell upon those lands. 

Then leaving Hagen with the main army, Siegfried rode forward alone toseek the foe. Nor was it long ere on a plain before him he saw a greathost encamped. 

In advance of the great army of more than forty thousand men stood asingle warrior, as though he were a sentinel guarding the plain. Ashining shield of gold was in his hand, and when Siegfried saw that, he knew that the sentinel was none other than Ludegast himself. 

Even as Siegfried knew his enemy and spurred forward his steed, Ludegast saw the hero. Digging his spurs into the sides of his horsehe also sprang forward, and, with lances poised, the two mighty menmet and charged with all their strength. 

On dashed the noble steeds as though driven by a tempest, until theKing and the Prince drew rein, and turning faced each other onceagain, their swords now in their hands. 

With such great strokes did Siegfried ply his foe, that fiery sparksflamed all around the helmet of the King, while the noise of hismighty blows filled the space around as with peals of thunder. 

King Ludegast was a worthy foe and many an ugly thrust did Siegfriedparry with his shield. But at length with his good sword Balmung, thehero pierced through the steel harness of Ludegast the King. Threetimes he struck, until his enemy lay helpless at his feet. 

With piteous moan then did Ludegast beg the Prince to spare his life, and this Siegfried did. 

Then, as the hero was going to sheathe his sword, up rode thirty ofthe King's warriors, who had watched the fray from afar. Fiercely theybeset the hero who had vanquished their King and stealthily did theyseek to rescue his prisoner. But Siegfried brandished his good swordBalmung, and with his own strong right hand slaughtered the thirtywarriors, all save one. Him the Prince spared that he might carry thedire tidings of the capture of King Ludegast to the army on the plain. 

Then Siegfried, left alone with his royal prisoner, lifted him on tohis own charger, and brought him to Hagen. 

But the Prince did not linger with the army. Without delay he set outfor the forefront of the fray, and close behind him rode his owneleven knights, while Gernot followed with a thousand men. And soonthe great plain was a grim battlefield. 

Loud and fierce was the conflict. Many a clanging blow fell uponuplifted shields, many an eager sword-thrust struck through helmetand through mail, and ever in the thickest of the fight rodeSiegfried, the valiant Prince of the Netherlands. 

The hero was seeking for King Ludeger, the leader of the Saxon host. Three times did he cleave his way through the mighty host until atlength he stood before the King. 

Now Ludeger had seen how Siegfried swung his good sword Balmung, andhow he cleft in twain the helmet of many of the toughest warriors inthe Saxon army, and his heart was filled with rage. He knew also thathis brother Ludegast had been taken captive by this same bold Prince. 

Thus it was that when Siegfried stood before his royal foe, theonslaught of the King was more violent than the hero had expected. Soviolent was it that the Prince's war-horse staggered and well-nighfell. With a mighty effort, the steed recovered from the shock, butthe rage of the hero was terrible. In his eagerness to reach thefierce King Ludeger he dismounted, as also did his foe, and thus theyfought, while all around them flew the splinters of broken swords andspears. 

At length with a great blow Siegfried struck the shield from Ludeger'shold; a moment more and he had him at his mercy. For the second timethat day the Prince was victor over a King. 

As Siegfried stooped to bind his prisoner, Ludeger's eyes fell uponthe crown which was emblazoned on his victor's shield. Then he knewthat the rumour which had reached him was true. This mighty hero wasnone other than Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, King of theNetherlands. 

Vain was it to fight longer with such a hero among their foes, andLudeger raised his voice loud above the tumult, and cried to his braveSaxon warriors, 'My warriors, my lieges, cease to give battle. Laydown your arms, lower your standards, for none may conquer wherePrince Siegfried wars. '

At Ludeger's words all that was left of the great armies of Danes andSaxons laid down their arms, lowered their standards, while their Kinghumbly sued for peace. 

By Hagen's command peace was granted, but Ludeger, along with Ludegastand five hundred warriors who had been taken prisoner, were forced togo with the Burgundians to the royal city of Worms. 

The victorious army was soon upon its homeward way, the wounded beingcarried in litters by the command of King Gernot. 

Tidings were sent to King Gunther, telling him to rejoice, for hiswarriors had won the day. Yet to all it was well known that thevictory was due to the prowess of the mighty Prince Siegfried. 

Nor did the heralds who were sent to the city with the glad news ofvictory forget to tell of the marvellous deeds of the hero. 

In Worms there had been grief lest their warriors should bevanquished, but now the city was full of triumph, and noble dames andhappy maidens gathered round the squires who had brought the goodnews. 

Then Kriemhild sent secretly for one of the squires, for she wished tohear without delay all that had befallen her gallant knight. Had shenot mourned his absence and scarce slept the long nights through lestdanger should come nigh so fearless a warrior? Had she not vowed toherself that she would own no other knight as lord, save only thisgreat hero? For unawares love had stolen into the tender heart of theLady Kriemhild. 

When the squire was led to the bower of the Princess, he stood quiet, modest before the beauteous lady. 

'Tell me the dear tidings, ' she said, 'stint not thy words, and goldwill I give to thee in plenty. '

Yet at first the Princess had no courage to ask of Siegfried'sprowess. 

'How fared my brother Gernot, and how have my other kinsmen fought?Are many wounded left upon the field?'

Then to her lips sprang the words she would fain have the squireanswer before all others. 

'And who did best of any?' said the Princess, and her voice broke, andher tears fell as she spoke. 

But the young squire knew what the maiden wished to hear, and he toldher of the mighty deeds done on the battlefield, and how ever in theforefront, where the danger was the greatest, was to be seen thegallant Prince of the Netherlands, his good sword Balmung in his hand. Of his two royal captives, too, the young squire told, and asKriemhild listened to the exploits of her knight, her lovely facebecame rosy red with delight. 

Well rewarded indeed was the squire for his joyous tidings, for thePrincess gave him costly raiment and ten gold coins as well. 

Ere many more days had passed away there came the tramp of armed menalong the banks of the great Rhine river. The troops were coming home. 

Then to the windows of the castle rushed the maidens, and among themwas the beautiful Princess, and together they watched as the warriorsrode through the streets of the royal city. 

King Gunther himself went forth to welcome his troops, and to thankthe young hero who had so gallantly saved the realm of Burgundy frominvasion. 

Of all those who had gone forth to battle but sixty men were leftbehind, stricken by the foe. 

The royal prisoners Ludegast and Ludeger the King treated with honour. He indeed promised to set them free if their liegemen, who had beentaken prisoners, would stay as hostages in his land. And this theprisoners were well pleased to do, that their Kings might returnwithout ransom to their own lands. 

Siegfried the hero now began to think that it was fitting that heshould go back to his old father Siegmund, and his dear motherSieglinde. 

But King Gunther, to whom he told his wish, entreated him to stay yeta little longer in the royal city. 

'For now, ' said the King, 'will we hold a merry festival and kings andprinces will we summon to our court. Stay, then, Sir Siegfried, thatthou mayest show thy skill in the great tournament. '

Yet it was neither the wishes of the King nor the thought of thetournament which made Siegfried willing to linger on still in the fairBurgundian town. It was the image of a gentle maiden, whom yet he hadnever seen, which kept him from speeding home to his own country. 

Perchance if he waited he would see her soon, the wonder-maiden, whoseimage even on the battlefield was safe hidden in his heart. 

CHAPTER VIII

SIEGFRIED SEES KRIEMHILD

Queen Uté, the mother of Kriemhild, heard that a great festival was tobe held, and she made up her mind that she and her daughter shouldgrace it with their presence. 

Then was there great glee among the hand-maidens of the Queen, andthey scarce slept at night for thinking of bright ribands and gayraiment. 

But to Kriemhild more joyous than any hope of costly garments was thehope that at the great festival she would see, nay even speak with, her knight, Sir Siegfried. 

Folded away in large chests Queen Uté had a store of rich raiment. Robes of white embroidered in gold, and sparkling with gems, she nowbrought forth, robes of purple and blue and many another colour shelaid before the eyes of her bewildered maidens. These the Queenherself had worked through the glad days of summer, and through thedark winter evenings. 

The festival was to be held at Whitsuntide, and as the time drew near, noble guests were seen daily riding into Worms. Kings came from afar, thirty-two princes also had journeyed thither, and when Whitsunmorning dawned, five thousand men and more had come to Rhineland, where free from care dwelt King Gunther. 

When the knights had entered the lists, the King sent a hundred of hisliegemen that they might bring Queen Uté and her gentle daughter tothe great hall. 

Clad in their rich robes of state, the Queen and her many maidenscame, and among them all was none to compare with the peerless maidenKriemhild. 

When Siegfried saw the Princess he knew that she was indeed moreradiant in her beauty than he had even dreamed, and the hero's heartgrew heavy. 

How could it ever be that he should wed so fair, so kind a maiden. Hecould see the kindness shining in her bright eyes. Yet surely he hadbut dreamed a foolish dream, and thinking thus the knight grew paleand troubled. 

Then King Gernot, whose eyes saw what other eyes were ofttimes toodull to heed, then King Gernot, seeing Siegfried's cheeks grow pale, said to his brother Gunther, 'Bid the hero who hath served thee rightnobly, bid him go greet our sister. For though she hath scorned fullmany a knight, him will she welcome with right good cheer. '

King Gernot's words pleased his royal brother, and a messenger wassent to Siegfried, bidding him greet the Princess. 

Swift then leaped the roses to Sir Siegfried's cheeks, as he hastenedto where Kriemhild sat among her maidens. 

'Be welcome here, Sir Siegfried, for thou art a good and nobleknight, ' said the maiden softly. Then, as in reverence he bent lowbefore his lady, she rose and took his right hand graciously in herown. 

As they stood thus together the great bells of the Minster pealed, andlords and ladies wended their way to the church of God to hear a Masssung, and to give thanks for the great victory the Burgundian heroeshad won. At the Minster door Siegfried must needs leave the Princessthat she might sit among her maidens. But when the service was endedthey walked together to the castle. 

'Now God reward thee, Siegfried, ' said the maiden, 'for right wellhast thou served my royal brother. '

'Thee I will serve for ever, ' cried the happy hero, 'thee will I servefor ever, and thy wishes shall ever be my will!'

Then for twelve glad days were Siegfried and Kriemhild ofttimes sideby side. And when he tilted in the tournament, he felt that the brighteyes of his lady were shining upon him, and his skill was greater eventhan it had used to be. 

At length the merry Maytide games were over. Gifts of gold and silksdid King Gunther bestow on all his guests ere they set out for theirown lands. Queen Uté also and the Princess wished them Godspeed asthey filed slowly past the royal throne. 

The festival was over, and it might be he would see the fair maidenKriemhild no more, so thought the hero. Well, he would away, away tohis own home in the Netherlands once more. 

But Giselher, Kriemhild's youngest brother, heard that Siegfried wasmaking ready to leave the royal city, and he begged him to stay. 

'Tarry here a little longer, ' he said, 'and each day, when toil orsport is over, thou shalt see my fair sister, Kriemhild. '

'Bid my steed be taken back to its stall, ' then cried the happyknight, 'and hang my shield upon the wall. '

Thus in the gladsome summer days Siegfried and Kriemhild walked andtalked together, and ever did the knight love the gentle maiden more. 

CHAPTER IX

SIEGFRIED GOES TO ISENLAND

Whitsuntide had come and gone when tidings from beyond the Rhinereached the court at Worms. 

No dread tidings were these, but glad and good to hear, of a matchlessQueen named Brunhild who dwelt in Isenland. King Gunther listened withright good-will to the tales of this warlike maiden, for if she werebeautiful she was also strong as any warrior. Wayward, too, she was, yet Gunther would fain have her as his queen to sit beside him on histhrone. 

One day the King sent for Siegfried to tell him that he would fainjourney to Isenland to wed Queen Brunhild. 

Now Siegfried, as you know, had been in Isenland and knew some of thecustoms of this wayward Queen. So he answered the King right gravelythat it would be a dangerous journey across the sea to Isenland, norwould he win the Queen unless he were able to vanquish her greatstrength. 

He told the King how Brunhild would challenge him to three contests orgames, as she would call them. And if she were the victor, as indeedshe had been over many a royal suitor, then his life would beforfeited. 

At her own desire kings and princes had hurled the spear at thestalwart Queen, and it had but glanced harmless off her shield, whileshe would pierce the armour of these valiant knights with her firstthrust. This was one of the Queen's games. 

Then the knights would hasten to the ring and throw the stone fromthem as far as might be, yet ever Queen Brunhild threw it farther. Forthis was another game of the warrior Queen. 

The third game was to leap beyond the stone which they had thrown, butever to their dismay the knights saw this marvellous maiden faroutleap them all. 

These valorous knights, thus beaten in the three contests, had beenbeheaded, and therefore it was that Siegfried spoke so gravely toKing Gunther. 

But Gunther, so he said, was willing to risk his life to win so bravea bride. 

Now Hagen had drawn near to the King, and as he listened toSiegfried's words, the grim warrior said, 'Sire, since the Princeknows the customs of Isenland, let him go with thee on thy journey, toshare thy dangers, and to aid thee in the presence of this warlikeQueen. '

And Hagen, for he hated the hero, hoped that he might never returnalive from Isenland. 

But the King was pleased with his counsellor's words. 'Sir Siegfried, 'he said, 'wilt thou help me to win the matchless maiden Brunhild formy queen?'

'That right gladly will I do, ' answered the Prince, 'if thou wiltpromise to give to me thy sister Kriemhild as my bride, should I bringthee back safe from Isenland, the bold Queen at thy side. '

Then the King promised that on the same day that he wedded Brunhild, his sister should wed Prince Siegfried, and with this promise the herowas well content. 

'Thirty thousand warriors will I summon to go with us to Isenland, 'cried King Gunther gaily. 

'Nay, ' said the Prince, 'thy warriors would but be the victims of thishaughty Queen. As plain knight-errants will we go, taking with usnone, save Hagen the keen-eyed and his brother Dankwart. '

Then King Gunther, his face aglow with pleasure, went with SirSiegfried to his sister's bower, and begged her to provide richgarments in which he and his knights might appear before the beauteousQueen Brunhild. 

'Thou shalt not beg this service from me, ' cried the gentle Princess, 'rather shalt thou command that which thou dost wish. See, here have Isilk in plenty. Send thou the gems from off thy bucklers, and I and mymaidens will work them with gold embroideries into the silk. '

Thus the sweet maiden dismissed her brother, and sending for herthirty maidens who were skilled in needlework she bade them sew theirdaintiest stitches, for here were robes to be made for the King andSir Siegfried ere they went to bring Queen Brunhild into Rhineland. 

For seven weeks Kriemhild and her maidens were busy in their bower. Silk white as new-fallen snow, silk green as the leaves in spring didthey shape into garments worthy to be worn by the King and SirSiegfried, and amid the gold embroideries glittered many a radiantgem. 

Meanwhile down by the banks of the Rhine a vessel was being built tocarry the King across the sea to Isenland. 

When all was ready the King and Sir Siegfried went to the bower of thePrincess. They would put on the silken robes and the beautiful cloaksKriemhild and her maidens had sewed to see that they were neither toolong nor too short. But indeed the skilful hands of the Princess hadnot erred. No more graceful or more beautiful garments had ever beforebeen seen by the King or the Prince. 

'Sir Siegfried, ' said the gentle Kriemhild, 'care for my royal brotherlest danger befall him in the bold Queen's country. Bring him homeboth safe and sound I beseech thee. '

The hero bowed his head and promised to shield the King from danger, then they said farewell to the maiden, and embarked in the little shipthat awaited them on the banks of the Rhine. Nor did Siegfried forgetto take with him his Cloak of Darkness and his good sword Balmung. 

Now none was there on the ship save King Gunther, Siegfried, Hagen, and Dankwart, but Siegfried with his Cloak of Darkness had thestrength of twelve men as well as his own strong right hand. 

Merrily sailed the little ship, steered by Sir Siegfried himself. Soonthe Rhine river was left behind and they were out on the sea, a strongwind filling their sails. Ere evening, full twenty miles had the goodship made. 

For twelve days they sailed onward, until before them rose the grimfortress that guarded Isenland. 

'What towers are these?' cried King Gunther, as he gazed upon theturreted castle which looked as a grim sentinel guarding the land. 

'These, ' answered the hero, 'are Queen Brunhild's towers and this isthe country over which she rules. '

Then turning to Hagen and Dankwart Siegfried begged them to let him bespokesman to the Queen, for he knew her wayward moods. 'And KingGunther shall be my King, ' said the Prince, 'and I but his vassaluntil we leave Isenland. '

And Hagan and Dankwart, proud men though they were, obeyed in allthings the words of the young Prince of the Netherlands. 

CHAPTER X

SIEGFRIED SUBDUES BRUNHILD

The little ship had sailed on now close beneath the castle, so closeindeed that as the King looked up to the window he could catchglimpses of beautiful maidens passing to and fro. 

Sir Siegfried also looked and laughed aloud for glee. It would be buta little while until Brunhild was won and he was free to return to hiswinsome lady Kriemhild. 

By this time the maidens in the castle had caught sight of the ship, and many bright eyes were peering down upon King Gunther and his threebrave comrades. 

'Look well at the fair maidens, sire, ' said Siegfried to the King. 'Among them all show me her whom thou wouldst choose most gladly asyour bride. '

'Seest thou the fairest of the band, ' cried the King, 'she who isclad in a white garment? It is she and no other whom I would wed. '

Right merrily then laughed Siegfried. 'The maiden, ' said he gaily, 'isin truth none other than Queen Brunhild herself. '

The King and his warriors now moored their vessel and leaped ashore, Siegfried leading with him the King's charger. For each knight hadbrought his steed with him from the fair land of Burgundy. 

More bright than ever beamed the bright eyes of the ladies at thecastle window. So fair, so gallant a knight never had they seen, thought the damsels as they gazed upon Sir Siegfried. And all thewhile King Gunther dreamed their glances were bent on no other thanhimself. 

Siegfried held the noble steed until King Gunther had mounted, andthis he did that Queen Brunhild might not know that he was the Princeof the Netherlands, owing service to no man. Then going back to theship the hero brought his own horse to land, mounted, and rode withthe King toward the castle gate. 

King and Prince were clad alike. Their steeds as well as theirgarments were white as snow, their saddles were bedecked with jewels, and on the harness hung bells, all of bright red gold. Their shieldsshone as the sun, their spears they wore before them, their swordshung by their side. 

Behind them followed Hagen and Dankwart, their armour black as theplumage of the wild raven, their shields strong and mighty. 

As they approached the castle the gates were flung wide open, and theliegemen of the great Queen came out to greet the strangers with wordsof welcome. They bid their hirelings also take the shields andchargers from their guests. 

But when a squire demanded that the strangers should also yield theirswords, grim Hagen smiled his grimmest, and cried, 'Nay, our swordswill we e'en keep lest we have need of them. ' Nor was he too wellpleased when Siegfried told him that the custom in Isenland was thatno guest should enter the castle carrying a weapon. It was butsullenly that he let his sword be taken away along with his mightyshield. 

After the strangers had been refreshed with wine, her liegemen sent tothe Queen to tell her that strange guests had arrived. 

'Who are the strangers who come thus unheralded to my land?' haughtilydemanded Brunhild. 

But no one could tell her who the warriors were, though some murmuredthat the tallest and fairest might be the great hero Siegfried. 

It may be that the Queen thought that if the knight were indeedSiegfried she would revenge herself on him now for the mischievouspranks he had played the last time he was in her kingdom. In any caseshe said, 'If the hero is here he shall enter into contest with me, and he shall pay for his boldness with his life, for I shall be thevictor. '

Then with five hundred warriors, each with his sword in hand, Brunhildcame down to the knights from Burgundy. 

'Be welcome, Siegfried, ' she cried, 'yet wherefore hast thou comeagain to Isenland?'

'I thank thee for thy greeting, lady, ' said the Prince 'but thou hastwelcomed me before my lord. He, King Gunther, ruler over the fairrealms of Burgundy, hath come hither to wed with thee. '

Brunhild was displeased that the mighty hero should not himself seekto win her as a bride, yet since for all his prowess he seemed but avassal of the King, she answered, 'If thy master can vanquish me inthe contests to which I bid him, then I will be his wife, but if Iconquer thy master, his life, and the lives of his followers will beforfeited. '

'What dost thou demand of my master?' asked Hagen. 

'He must hurl the spear with me, throw the stone from the ring, andleap to where it has fallen, ' said the Queen. 

Now while Brunhild was speaking, Siegfried whispered to the King tofear nothing, but to accept the Queen's challenge. 'I will be nearthough no one will see me, to aid thee in the struggle, ' he whispered. 

Gunther had such trust in the Prince that he at once cried boldly, 'Queen Brunhild, I do not fear even to risk my life that I may winthee for my bride. '

Then the bold maiden called for her armour, but when Gunther saw hershield, 'three spans thick with gold and iron, which four chamberlainscould hardly bear, ' his courage began to fail. 

[Illustration: The maiden hurled her spear]

While the Queen donned her silken fighting doublet, which could turnaside the sharpest spear, Siegfried slipped away unnoticed to theship, and swiftly flung around him his Cloak of Darkness. Then unseenby all, he hastened back to King Gunther's side. 

A great javelin was then given to the Queen, and she began to fightwith her suitor, and so hard were her thrusts that but for Siegfriedthe King would have lost his life. 

'Give me thy shield, ' whispered the invisible hero in the King's ear, 'and tell no one that I am here. ' Then as the maiden hurled her spearwith all her force against the shield which she thought was held bythe King, the shock well-nigh drove both Gunther and his unseen friendto their knees. 

But in a moment Siegfried's hand had dealt the Queen such a blow withthe handle of his spear (he would not use the sharp point against awoman) that the maiden cried aloud, 'King Gunther, thou hast wonthis fray. ' For as she could not see Siegfried because of his Cloak ofDarkness, she could not but believe that it was the King who hadvanquished her. 

In her wrath the Queen now sped to the ring, where lay a stone soheavy that it could scarce be lifted by twelve strong men. 

But Brunhild lifted it with ease, and threw it twelve arms' lengthbeyond the spot on which she stood. Then, leaping after it, shealighted even farther than she had thrown the stone. 

Gunther now stood in the ring, and lifted the stone which had againbeen placed within it. He lifted it with an effort, but at onceSiegfried's unseen hand grasped it and threw it with such strengththat it dropped even beyond the spot to which it had been flung by theQueen. Lifting King Gunther with him Siegfried next jumped far beyondthe spot on which the Queen had alighted. And all the warriorsmarvelled to see their Queen thus vanquished by the strange King. Foryou must remember that not one of them could see that it was Siegfriedwho had done these deeds of prowess. 

Now in the contest, still unseen, Siegfried had taken from the Queenher ring and her favourite girdle. 

With angry gestures Brunhild called to her liegemen to come and laytheir weapons down at King Gunther's feet to do him homage. Henceforththey must be his thralls and own him as their lord. 

As soon as the contests were over, Siegfried had slipped back to theship and hidden his Cloak of Darkness. Then boldly he came back to thegreat hall, and pretending to know nothing of the games begged to betold who had been the victor, if indeed they had already taken place. 

When he had heard that Queen Brunhild had been vanquished, the herolaughed, and cried gaily, 'Then, noble maiden, thou must go with us toRhineland to wed King Gunther. '

'A strange way for a vassal to speak, ' thought the angry Queen, andshe answered with a proud glance at the knight, 'Nay, that will I notdo until I have summoned my kinsmen and my good lieges. For I willmyself say farewell to them ere ever I will go to Rhineland. '

Thus heralds were sent throughout Brunhild's realms, and soon frommorn to eve her kinsmen and her liegemen rode into the castle, untilit seemed as though a mighty army were assembling. 

'Does the maiden mean to wage war against us, ' said Hagen grimly. 'Ilike not the number of her warriors. '

Then said Siegfried, 'I will leave thee for a little while and goacross the sea, and soon will I return with a thousand brave warriors, so that no evil may befall us. '

So the Prince went down alone to the little ship and set sail acrossthe sea. 

CHAPTER XI

SIEGFRIED GOES TO THE CAVE

The ship in which Siegfried set sail drifted on before the wind, whilethose in Queen Brunhild's castle marvelled, for no one was to be seenon board. This was because the hero had again donned his Cloak ofDarkness. 

On and on sailed the little ship until at length it drew near to theland of the Nibelungs. Then Siegfried left his vessel and againclimbed the mountain-side, where long before he had cut off the headsof the little Nibelung princes. 

He reached the cave into which he had thrust the treasure, and knockedloudly at the door. The cave was the entrance to Nibelheim the dark, little town beneath the glad, green grass. 

Siegfried might have entered the cave, but he knocked that he mightsee if his treasure were well guarded. 

Then the porter, who was a great giant, when he heard the knockbuckled on his armour and opened the door. Seeing, as he thought inhis haste, a strange knight standing before him he fell upon him witha bar of iron. So strong was the giant that it was with difficultythat the Prince overcame him and bound him hand and foot. 

Alberich meanwhile had heard the mighty blows, which indeed had shakenNibelheim to its foundations. 

Now the dwarf had sworn fealty to Siegfried, and when he, as the gianthad done, mistook the Prince for a stranger, he seized a heavy whipwith a gold handle and rushed upon him, smiting his shield with theknotted whip until it fell to pieces. 

Too pleased that his treasures were so well defended to be angry, Siegfried now seized the little dwarf by his beard, and pulled it solong and so hard that Alberich was forced to cry for mercy. ThenSiegfried bound him hand and foot as he had done the giant. 

Alberich, poor little dwarf, gnashed his teeth with rage. Who wouldguard the treasure now, and who would warn his master that a strongman had found his way to Nibelheim?

But in the midst of his fears he heard the stranger's merry laugh. Nay, it was no stranger, none but the hero Prince could laugh thusmerrily. 

'I am Siegfried your master, ' then said the Prince. 'I did but testthy faithfulness, Alberich, ' and laughing still, the hero undid thecords with which he had bound the giant and the dwarf. 

'Call me here quickly the Nibelung warriors, ' cried Siegfried, 'for Ihave need of them. ' And soon thirty thousand warriors stood before himin shining armour. 

Choosing one thousand of the strongest and biggest, the Prince marchedwith them down to the sea-shore. There they embarked in ships andsailed away to Isenland. 

Now it chanced that Queen Brunhild was walking on the terrace of hersea-guarded castle with King Gunther when she saw a number of sailsapproaching. 

'Whose can these ships be?' she cried in quick alarm. 

'These are my warriors who have followed me from Burgundy, ' answeredthe King, for thus had Siegfried bidden him speak. 

'We will go to welcome the fleet, ' said Brunhild, and together theymet the brave Nibelung army and lodged them in Isenland. 

'Now will I give of my silver and my gold to my liegemen and toGunther's warriors, ' said Queen Brunhild, and she held out the keys ofher treasury to Dankwart that he might do her will. But so lavishlydid the knight bestow her gold and her costly gems and her richraiment upon the warriors that the Queen grew angry. 

'Nought shall I have left to take with me to Rhineland, ' she criedaloud in her vexation. 

'In Burgundy, ' answered Hagen, 'there is gold enough and to spare. Thou wilt not need the treasures of Isenland. '

But these words did not content the Queen. She would certainly take atleast twenty coffers of gold as well as jewels and silks with her toKing Gunther's land. 

At length, leaving Isenland to the care of her brother, QueenBrunhild, with twenty hundred of her own warriors as a body-guard, with eighty-six dames and one hundred maidens, set out for the royalcity of Worms. 

For nine days the great company journeyed homeward, and then KingGunther entreated Siegfried to be his herald to Worms. 

'Beg Queen Uté and the Princess Kriemhild, ' said the King, 'beg themto ride forth to meet my bride and to prepare to hold high festival inhonour of the wedding feast. '

Thus Siegfried with four-and-twenty knights sailed on more swiftlythan the other ships, and landing at the mouth of the river Rhine, rode hastily toward the royal city. 

The Queen and her daughter, clad in their robes of state, received thehero, and his heart was glad, for once again he stood in the presenceof his dear lady, Kriemhild. 

'Be welcome, my Lord Siegfried, ' she cried, 'thou worthy knight, bewelcome. But where is my brother? Has he been vanquished by thewarrior Queen? Oh, woe is me if he is lost, woe is me that ever I wasborn, ' and the tears rolled down the maiden's cheeks. 

'Nay, now, ' said the Prince, 'thy brother is well and of good cheer. Ihave come, a herald of glad tidings. For even now the King is on hisway to Worms, bringing with him his hard-won bride. '

Then the Princess dried her tears, and graciously did she bid the heroto sit by her side. 

'I would I might give thee a reward for thy services, ' said the gentlemaiden, 'but too rich art thou to receive my gold. '

'A gift from thy hands would gladden my heart, ' said the gallantPrince. 

Blithely then did Kriemhild send for four-and-twenty buckles, allinlaid with precious stones, and these did she give to Siegfried. 

Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild, for well did he love thegracious giver, yet would he not keep for himself her gifts, but gavethem, in his courtesy, to her four-and-twenty maidens. 

Then the Prince told Queen Uté that the King begged her and thePrincess to ride forth from Worms to greet his bride, and to prepareto hold high festival in the royal city. 

[Illustration: Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild]

'It shall be done even as the King desires, ' said the Queen, whileKriemhild sat silent, smiling with gladness, because her knight SirSiegfried had come home. 

CHAPTER XII

THE WEDDING FEAST

In joy and merriment the days flew by, while the court at Wormsprepared to hold high festival in honour of King Gunther's matchlessbride. 

As the royal ships drew near Queen Uté and the Princess Kriemhild, accompanied by many a gallant knight, rode along the banks of theRhine to greet Queen Brunhild. 

Already the King had disembarked, and was leading his bride toward hisgracious mother. Courteously did Queen Uté welcome the stranger, whileKriemhild kissed her and clasped her in her arms. 

Some as they gazed upon the lovely maidens said that the warlike QueenBrunhild was more beautiful than the gentle Princess Kriemhild, butothers, and these were the wiser, said that none could excel thepeerless sister of the King. 

In the great plain of Worms silk tents and gay pavilions had beenplaced. And there the ladies took shelter from the heat, while beforethem knights and warriors held a gay tournament. Then in the cool ofthe evening, a gallant train of lords and ladies, they rode toward thecastle at Worms. 

Queen Uté and her daughter went to their own apartments, while theKing with Brunhild went into the banqueting hall where the weddingfeast was spread. 

But ere the feast had begun, Siegfried came and stood before the King. 

'Sire, ' he said, 'hast thou forgotten thy promise, that when Brunhildentered the royal city thy lady sister should be my bride?'

'Nay, ' cried the King, 'my royal word do I ever keep, ' and going outinto the hall he sent for the Princess. 

'Dear sister, ' said Gunther, as she bowed before him, 'I have pledgedmy word to a warrior that thou wilt become his bride, wilt thou helpme to keep my promise?' Now Siegfried was standing by the King's sideas he spoke. 

Then the gentle maiden answered meekly, 'Thy will, dear brother, isever mine. I will take as lord him to whom thou hast promised myhand. ' And she glanced shyly at Siegfried, for surely this was thewarrior to whom her royal brother had pledged his word. 

Right glad then was the King, and Siegfried grew rosy with delight ashe received the lady's troth. Then together they went to thebanqueting hall, and on a throne next to King Gunther sat thehero-prince, the lady Kriemhild by his side. 

But when Brunhild saw the King's beautiful sister sitting on a thronewith Siegfried by her side, she began to weep. 

'Why dost thou weep, fair lady?' said King Gunther. 'Are not my lands, my castles, and all my warriors thine? Dim not thy bright eyes withthy tears. '

'I may well weep, ' said Queen Brunhild, 'because thy sister hasplighted her troth to one who is but a vassal of thine own. Thy sisteris worthy of a prince. '

'Weep not, ' cried the King, 'and when the banquet is ended I will tellthee how it is that Siegfried has won the hand of my lady sister. '

'Nay, ' cried the impatient Queen, 'thou must tell me without delay ornever will I be thy wife, ' and Brunhild arose and stepped down fromthe throne. 

King Gunther was displeased with the Queen's impatience, yet lest hisguests should be disturbed, he answered her quickly:

'The hero Siegfried has as many castles as have I, and his realms arebroader. In truth he is no vassal of mine. Ere long he will be King ofthe Netherlands. '

Brunhild could but hide her anger now, yet in her heart she dislikedSiegfried more than she had done before. It did not please her that heshould be a greater king than Gunther. 

When the banquet was ended, the wedding was celebrated, and the Kingplaced a crown upon the brow of the haughty bride, for now she was hiswife, and Queen of his fair realm of Burgundy. 

Siegfried too was wedded to the maiden whom he loved so well, andthough he had no crown to place upon her brow, the Princess was wellcontent. 

As wedding gifts the hero gave to his dear wife the treasure he hadwon from the Nibelungs, also the girdle and the ring which he hadtaken from Brunhild in her contests with King Gunther. 

With his merry laugh Siegfried told his wife how he had fought for herroyal brother, himself unseen, because he had on his Cloak ofDarkness. And Kriemhild listening thought never had she known so fair, so brave a knight. 

For fourteen days the wedding festivities never ceased. Then KingGunther and Prince Siegfried scattered costly gifts among theirguests, so that they returned to their own lands in great glee. 

No sooner were the guests departed than Siegfried also began to makeready to journey to his own country. Fain would he take his beautifulwife to see Siegmund and Sieglinde, and to dwell in the land overwhich one day he would be king. 

Kriemhild, too, was glad to go to her dear lord's country. Taking aloving farewell of her lady mother, Queen Uté, and of her royalbrothers, with five hundred knights of Burgundy and thirty-twoBurgundian maids, Kriemhild rode away, Sir Siegfried by her side. 

CHAPTER XIII

SIEGFRIED GOES HOME WITH KRIEMHILD

In the court of the Netherlands there was great gladness, for tidingshad come that Prince Siegfried and his beautiful wife were already ontheir homeward way. 

King Siegmund rejoiced, and resolved that now indeed his son shouldwear the crown. 

Sieglinde wept for joy, then dried her tears, and bade her maidenslook out their richest robes that they might welcome the young brideas became her rank. 

Then the King and Queen rode forth to meet the travellers, and greetedthem with kisses and fair words, and with great rejoicings the wholecompany returned to the castle. Here a great feast was held, andSiegmund, calling together all his liegemen, placed the crown upon hisdear son's head, bidding them henceforth swear fealty to him alone. 

The Netherlanders were indeed well pleased to have the mighty heroSiegfried for their king, and the castle walls shook with the shoutsof strong men crying, 'Hail, King Siegfried, hail!'

For ten years Siegfried ruled and did justice in the land. At the endof ten years a little son came to gladden the hearts of the brave Kingand his gentle wife, and in memory of her royal brother, Kriemhildnamed him Gunther. 

Now Queen Sieglinde had grown old and feeble, and after her littlegrandson had been born she grew still more weak until one day shepassed away from earth. 

Then Kriemhild took charge of the royal household. So kind was she andgentle that she was loved by all her maidens and indeed by all whodwelt in the castle. 

Meanwhile Brunhild, the haughty Queen of Burgundy, was not happy, evenher little son could not bring joy to her heart. Little had she to vexher, yet day by day her unhappiness grew. 

Siegfried was now a mightier King than Gunther, and this displeasedher more and more, for certainly he had once been but her lord'svassal. Had she not herself, from her castle window at Isenland, seenhim hold King Gunther's charger until he had mounted, and that aPrince would have scorned to do. Yet to-day Siegfried was a King, Brunhild could not understand how this could be, and the more shethought about it, the angrier she grew. Even the gentle Kriemhildseemed to have grown haughty and disdainful, and for her too Brunhildhad no love. 

At length Brunhild made up her mind to speak to her husband. 

'It is many years, ' she said to King Gunther, 'since Siegfried hasbeen at Worms. Bid him come hither with his wife. '

Then Gunther frowned, ill-pleased at her words. 'Thou dost not dreamthat I may command so mighty a King as Siegfried!' he cried. 

But these words only made the Queen more angry. 'However greatSiegfried may be, he dare not disobey his lord, ' she said. 

King Gunther smiled to himself at Brunhild's foolish thoughts. Fullwell he knew that the King of the Netherlands owed no duty to him, the King of Burgundy. 

Then Brunhild, seeing that by anger she would not gain her wish, smiled and coming close to Gunther said, 'My lord, fain would I seethy sweet sister once more. If thou mayest not bid, wilt thou notentreat Siegfried to bring Kriemhild to our country that again we maysit together as we were used to do? In truth the gentleness of thylady sister did ever please me well. '

Now Gunther, hearing his wife's kind words, was wishful to do herwill. Therefore he sent for thirty warriors, and bade them ride intoKing Siegfried's land, and entreat him once again to come with hisfair wife to the royal city of Worms. Queen Uté also sent messages toQueen Kriemhild beseeching her to come again to her own country. 

Well pleased was Kriemhild when the knights from Burgundy were showninto her presence, and right glad was the welcome given to them byKing Siegfried. Then one of the knights hastened to deliver KingGunther's greetings and the greetings of Queen Uté and her ladies. 

'The King and Queen bid you also welcome to a high festival which theyhold as soon as the winter is ended, ' he said. 

But King Siegfried, thinking of all the business of the state, answered courteously, 'Nay, I fear that I may scarce leave my landwithout a king. Yet will I lodge you here while I take counsel with myliegemen. '

For nine days King Gunther's men tarried in the Netherlands, andbanquets and tournaments were given in their honour. 

Then Siegfried summoned his liegemen together and told them of KingGunther's desire that he and his Queen should go to Rhineland, andbade them give him their counsel. 

'Take with thee a thousand warriors, sire, and if it be thy will ridethus into Burgundy, ' said the King's chief adviser. 

'I also will go with thee, ' said Siegmund, for well did he love hisson. 'I also will go with thee and take a hundred swordsmen along withme. '

Right glad was Siegfried when he heard his father's words. 'My owngood father dear, ' he cried, and seizing his hand he kissed it. 'Intwelve days will I leave my realm and journey toward Burgundy, andthou shalt ride with me and Queen Kriemhild. '

Then the heralds of King Gunther, laden with rich gifts, were biddento hasten back to their own land with tidings that Siegfried and hisQueen would ere long follow them to the royal city. 

When the heralds stood again before King Gunther, they delivered theirtidings, and then spread out before him and his courtiers the raimentand the gold which Siegfried had bestowed upon them. 

Hagen looked upon the gifts, his keen eyes full of greed. 'Well maythe mighty King Siegfried give such gifts, ' he said. 'If he were tolive for ever, yet could he not spend the great treasure which hepossesses in the land of the Nibelungs. '

CHAPTER XIV

SIEGFRIED AND KRIEMHILD GO TO WORMS

One fine morning Siegfried and all his fair company set out on theirjourney to Rhineland. Their little son they left at the palace in theNetherlands. 

As they drew near to Burgundy, a band of Gunther's most gallantwarriors rode forth to meet their guests. Brunhild also went to greetthe royal company, yet in her heart the hatred she felt for Siegfriedand his wife grew ever more fierce, more cruel. 

Gunther rejoiced when he saw the brave light-hearted hero once again, and he welcomed him right royally. As for Brunhild, she kissed theQueen of the Netherlands, and smiled upon her, so that the lovely ladywas well pleased with her greeting. 

Twelve hundred gallant warriors sat round the banqueting table in thegood city of Worms that day. Then the feast ended, and the travellerssought their couches, weary with their long journey. The next morningthe great chests which they had brought with them were opened, andmany precious stones, and many beautiful garments were bestowed byKing Siegfried and Queen Kriemhild on the ladies and the knights ofthe royal city. 

Queen Uté, too, was happy, for now again she might look upon the faceof her dear daughter. 

Then a tournament was held, and the knights tilted, while beautifuldamsels looked down upon them from the galleries of the great hall. And at evensong the happy court would wend its way to the Minster, andthere, the Queens, wearing their crowns of state, would enter side byside. Thus for eleven days all went merry as a marriage ball. 

One evening, ere the Minster bell pealed for vespers, the two Queenssat side by side under a silken tent. They were talking of Siegfriedand Gunther, their lords. 

'There is no braver warrior in the wide world than my lord Siegfried, 'said Kriemhild. 

'Nay, ' cried Brunhild angrily, 'nay, thou dost forget thy brother, King Gunther. None, I trow, is mightier than he. '

Then the gentle Kriemhild forgot her gentle ways, and bitter to QueenBrunhild's ears were the words she spoke. 

'My royal brother is neither strong nor brave as is my lord, ' shecried. 'Dost thou not know that Siegfried it was, not Gunther, whovanquished thee in the contests held at thy castle in Isenland? Dostthou not know that it was Siegfried, clad in his Coat of Darkness, whowrested from thee both thy girdle and thy ring?' And Kriemhild pointedto the girdle which she was wearing round her waist, to the ring whichshe was wearing on her finger. 

Brunhild, when she saw her girdle and her ring, wept, and her tearswere tears of anger. Never would she forgive Siegfried for treatingher thus; never would she forgive Kriemhild for telling her the truth. 

'Alas! alas!' cried the angry Queen, 'no hero have I wed, but afeeble-hearted knave. '

Meanwhile, Kriemhild, already grieved that she had spoken thusfoolishly, had left the angry Queen and gone down to the Minster tovespers. 

That evening Brunhild had no smiles, no gentle words, for her lord. 

'It was Siegfried, not thou, my lord, who vanquished me in thecontests at Isenland, ' she said in a cold voice to the startled King. 

Had Siegfried then dared to boast to the Queen of the wonderful featshe had done in the land across the sea? Nay, King Gunther could notquite believe that the hero would thus boast of his great strength. 

But the Queen was still scolding him, so Gunther, in his dismay, stammered, 'We will summon the King to our presence, and he shall tellus why he has dared to boast of his might as though he were strongerthan I. '

When Siegfried stood before the angry Brunhild, the crestfallen Kingsaid as sternly as he dared, 'Hast thou boasted that it was thou whoconquered the maiden Brunhild?'

But even as he spoke all Gunther's suspicions fled away. Siegfriedwith the steadfast eyes and the happy laugh had never betrayed him. Of that he felt quite sure. It was true that he might have told hiswife Kriemhild----

Ah, now King Gunther knew what had happened! Not Siegfried, but hislady sister had told Brunhild the secret. Truly it was no fault of thegallant hero that Queen Brunhild had that day learned the secret whichhe would fain have kept from her for ever. 

So King Gunther stretched out his hand to Siegfried, who had stood insilence before him, and said, 'Not thou, but my sister Kriemhild hathboasted of thy prowess in Isenland, ' and the two Kings walked awaytogether leaving Brunhild in her anger. 

But not long was she left to weep alone, for Hagen, the keen-eyed, coming into the hall, saw her tears. 

'Gracious lady, wherefore dost thou weep?' he asked. 

'I weep for anger, ' said Brunhild, and she told Hagen the foolishwords which Siegfried's wife had spoken. 

When Hagen had heard them he smiled grimly to himself. Siegfried, thehero, nor his beautiful wife, should escape his vengeance now. And hebegan at once to plan with the Queen how he might punish them. Welldid he know that Brunhild would do all in her power to aid him in hisplots. 

Slowly but very surely Hagen drew Gernot and one or two warriors intohis schemes against the King of the Netherlands. But when Giselherheard that the cruel counsellors even wished to slay Siegfried, he wasangry, and said bravely, 'Never has Siegfried deserved such hate fromany knight of Burgundy. '

But Hagen did not cease his evil whispers against the hero. He wouldeven steal upon King Gunther as he sat at his council-table, and hewould whisper in his ear that if Siegfried were not so strong, hisBurgundian heroes would win more glory for their arms, that ifSiegfried were not living, all his broad lands would belong, throughKriemhild, to Burgundy. 

At first, Gunther would bid Hagen be silent, and lay aside his hate ofthe mighty hero. But afterward he would listen and only murmur, 'IfSiegfried heard thy words, none of us would be safe from his wrath. 'For King Gunther was weak and easily made to fear. 

'Fear not, ' said Hagen grimly, 'Siegfried shall never hear of ourplots. Leave the matter to me. I will send for two strange heralds tocome to our land. They shall pretend that they have come from our oldenemies, Ludegast and Ludeger, and they shall challenge us to battleonce again. '

'When Siegfried hears that thou must go forth to fight, he will evenas afore-time offer to go for thee against the foe. Then, methinks, shall I learn the secret of the great warrior's strength fromKriemhild, ere he set out, as she will believe he must do, for thebattlefield. '

And Gunther listened and feared to gainsay the words of his wickedcounsellor, also he thought of the great treasure, and longed that hemight possess it. 

CHAPTER XV

SIEGFRIED IS SLAIN

Hagen did not delay to carry out his wicked plot. Four days later, thirty-two strangers rode into Rhineland, and demanded to see KingGunther. These were the men who had been hired by the counsellor tobring false tidings of battle. 

When the heralds stood before the King their spokesman said, 'We comefrom King Ludegast and King Ludeger, who have gathered together newarmies with which to invade thy land, and forthwith they challengethee to combat. '

Then the King pretended that he did not know that these were falseheralds with false tidings. He frowned, and his eyes flashed anger atthe strangers as he listened to their words. 

Siegfried, who had heard the strangers' words, cried eagerly, 'Fearnot, O King, I and my warriors will fight for thee, even as afore-timewe have done. '

Well pleased then seemed Gunther at the hero's words. As though hereally feared the armies of the foreign kings, he graciously thankedSiegfried for his offered aid. 

Gaily then did Siegfried summon his thousand warriors and bade thempolish their armour and make their shields shine, for they must goforth to fight for the realm of Burgundy. 

'Now, ' thought Hagen, 'is the moment to win from Kriemhild the secretof her lord's strength, ' so he hastened to her apartments to bid herfarewell. For he, too, was going forth to battle. 

When Kriemhild saw the grim warrior she cried, 'If thou art near to mylord in the battlefield, guard him for my sake, and ever shalt thouhave Queen Kriemhild's thanks. '

'Right gladly will I serve Siegfried for thy sake, ' said the falseknight. 'Tell me how best I may guard thy lord. '

'Thou art my kinsman, Hagen, ' said the noble lady, 'therefore will Itrust thee with the secret of his strength. '

Then the Queen told the warrior of the tiny spot between her husband'sshoulders on which the linden leaf had fallen while he bathed in thedragon's blood, and how, while all the rest of his body was too toughto be pierced by spear or arrow, on that spot, he might be wounded aseasily as any other man. 

Hagen's eyes glittered. The life of the King was well-nigh in hishands. 

'If this be so, noble lady, I beg of thee sew a token upon hisgarment, that I may know the spot which I must guard with my shield, and if need be with my life, ' said the counsellor. 

Then Kriemhild promised to sew a tiny cross upon Siegfried's tunic, that so Hagen might the better be able to shield her lord. 

Bowing low, Hagen said farewell, then hastened from the presence ofthe gentle lady whose trust he meant to betray and that right cruelly. 

The next morning Siegfried set out, merrily as was his wont, at thehead of his warriors, and close behind him rode Hagen, his keen eyessearching for the little cross. 

It was there, the token which the lady Kriemhild had sewn with eagerhands on her lord's tunic, thinking thus to guard him from all harm. 

There was no need now for the pretence of war, for Hagen himself heldSiegfried's life in his hands. The wicked counsellor, therefore, ordered two of his own followers to ride away in secret, bidding themreturn in a day or two, travel-stained, as though they had come fromafar. With them they were to bring tidings of submission and peacefrom Ludegast and Ludeger. 

Thus, before Siegfried and his great host had marched into the enemy'sland they were stayed by heralds who brought messages of peace andgood-will to Gunther, and much against his wish the gallant hero hadto return to Worms, no battle fought, no enemy conquered. 

But if Siegfried grieved, Kriemhild rejoiced at his return. Alreadyshe had begun to be sorry that she had trusted her kinsman, Hagen. 

Gunther, too, seemed happy to welcome Siegfried. 'Now that there ispeace we will go a-hunting, ' he said to the hero. Now this hunt hadbeen planned by Hagen. 

Then Siegfried went to say farewell to his beautiful wife ere he rodeaway to the hunt. 

But Kriemhild clung to him, begging her dear lord not to leave her. She longed to warn him, too, against Hagen, yet this she did not dareto do. 

'Ah, my lord, ' she cried, 'last night I dreamed that two wild boarschased thee, and again I dreamed that as thou didst ride into thevalley two mountains fell upon thee and hid thee for ever from mysight. Go not to the hunt, my dear lord Siegfried. '

Yet the hero would not heed the dreams of his lady. Gently he loosenedher hands, and saying farewell, he left her weeping. 

Out in the glad sunshine Siegfried smiled. He would be back so soon tocomfort his dear wife, and then she, too, would laugh at her fears, and thinking thus he joined Gunther and his merry huntsmen, andtogether they rode toward the forest. 

Never had there been such a hunt or such merry huntsmen, and no preyseemed to escape the hero Siegfried. 

A strong and savage ox he felled to the ground with his own hand. Alion sprang toward him, but swiftly the hero drew his bow, and it layharmless at his feet. An elk, a buffalo, four strong bisons, a fiercestag, and many a hart and hind were slain by his prowess. But when, with his sword, he slew a wild boar that had attacked him, hiscomrades slipped the leash round the hounds and cried, 'LordSiegfried, nought is there left alive in the forest. Let us return tothe camp with our spoils. '

At that moment, clear and loud rang out the hunting horn. It was theKing who bade it sound that his merry huntsmen might come to feastwith him in the green meadow on the outskirts of the forest. 

Now the horn had roused a grisly bear, and Siegfried, seeing it, jumped from his charger, chased it, and having at length caught itwith his strong right hand, bound it without receiving even a scratchfrom its claws or a bite from its jaws. 

Then the hero dragged the bear back to his charger, tied it to hissaddle, and mounting rode quickly forward to the camp. 

King Gunther watched him as he drew near, and so gallant and brave helooked, that his heart grew heavy because he had listened to the cruelcounsels of his uncle Hagen. 

The hero wore a tunic of black velvet, a riding cap of sable. By hisside hung his good sword Balmung, a quiver thrust through his girdlewas filled with arrows, the shafts of which were golden. 

Before he reached the camp, Siegfried again alighted and loosed thegreat bear, and bewildered, the brute sprang forward into the campkitchen. 

Up sprang the scullions from the fire, kettles were toppled over, thefire was put out, fish, fowl, meat, all lay in the black and smokingashes. 

Then Gunther and his merry huntsmen chased the huge bear into thewood, and while all were swift, none was so swift as Siegfried. Hisgood sword Balmung flashed in the air, and the bear was slain andcarried back to the camp. 

Now Hagen had arranged the feast for the huntsmen, and for his ownpurpose he had ordered no wine. 

'Where are the cupbearers?' cried Siegfried, who was thirsty after theday's sport. 

'They have gone across the Rhine whither they thought we hunted, ' saidHagen, the false knight. 'But there is a spring of cold water a littleway off, thither may we go to quench our thirst. '

Siegfried soon rose to go to the fountain. Then Hagen drew near andsaid, 'Ofttimes I have heard that thou art sure and swift of foot. Wilt thou race with me to the spring?'

'If thou art at the fountain before me, ' said the mighty hero, 'I willeven lay myself at thy feet. '

Gunther heard Siegfried's words and shuddered. Yet now he dared notsave the hero from his foe. 

'I will bear my spear, my sword, my quiver, and my shield as I race, 'said Siegfried. But Hagen and King Gunther, who also wished to run, stripped off their upper garments, that they might run more lightly. 

[Illustration: While Siegfried drank of the cool, clear water, Hagenstabbed him]

Fleet of foot were Hagen and the King, yet fleeter still wasSiegfried. He reached the well, loosened his sword, and laid it withhis bow and arrows on the ground, and leant his spear against a lindentree that grew close to the fountain. 

He looked down into the spring, yet though his thirst was great, socourteous was he that he would not drink before King Gunther. 

When Gunther reached the well, he knelt at once to drink, then havingquenched his thirst he turned and wandered back along the hillsidetoward his merry huntsmen. 

As Siegfried now bent over the spring, Hagen with stealthy steps creptnear and drew the hero's sword and quiver out of his reach. Stealthystill, he seized the spear which rested against the linden tree. Thenwhile Siegfried drank of the cool, clear water, Hagen stabbed him, straight through the little cross of silk which Kriemhild's gentlehand had sewed, he stabbed. 

The cruel deed was done, and Hagen turned to flee, leaving the spearthere where he had thrust it, between the hero's shoulders, whereonce, alas! had lain a linden leaf. 

Siegfried sprang to his feet as he felt the cruel blow, and reachedfor his quiver that he might speed the traitor to his death, butneither quiver nor sword could he find. 

Then unarmed save for his shield the wounded hero ran, nor could Hagenescape him. With his shield Siegfried struck the false knight suchheavy blows that the precious stones dropped out of the shield andwere scattered, and Hagen lay helpless at King Siegfried's feet. 

But Siegfried had no sword with which to slay his enemy, moreover hiswound began to smart until he writhed with pain. Then, his strengthfailing him, he fell upon the green grass, while around him gatheredGunther and his huntsmen. 

Sore wounded was King Siegfried, even unto death, and Gunther, sorrynow the cruel deed was done, wept as he looked down upon the strickenKing. 

'Never would I have been slain, save by treachery, ' murmuredSiegfried. 'Yet how can I think of aught but my beautiful wifeKriemhild. Unto thee, O King Gunther, do I entrust her. If there beany faith in thee, defend her from all her foes. '

No more could he say, for he was faint from his wound, and ere longthe hero lay still on the grass, dead. 

Then the knights, when they saw that the mighty King no longerbreathed, laid him on a shield of gold, and when night fell theycarried him thus, back to the royal city. 

When Kriemhild knew that her lord, King Siegfried, was dead, bitterwere her tears. Full well did she know that it was Hagen who had slainhim, and greatly did she bemoan her foolishness in telling the grimcounsellor the secret known to her alone. 

The body of the great hero was laid in a coffin of gold and silver andcarried to the Minster. Then when the days of mourning were over, theold King Siegmund and his warriors went sadly back to the Netherlands. 

But Kriemhild stayed at Worms, and for thirteen years she mourned theloss of her dear lord. 

Her sufferings, during these years, were made the greater through thegreed of Hagen. For at the cruel warrior's bidding, Gunther went tothe Queen and urged her to send for the treasure of the Nibelungs. 

'It shall be guarded for thy use in the royal city, ' said the King. 

In her grief Kriemhild cared little where the treasure was kept; andseeing this, her brother sent in her name to command that it should bebrought to Worms. 

No sooner, however, did it reach the city than it was seized upon byHagen the traitor, and Kriemhild's wealth was no longer her own. 

That henceforth it might be secure from every one save himself andKing Gunther, Hagen buried the great treasure beneath the fast-flowingriver Rhine. 

When thirteen years had passed away, Kriemhild married Etzel, thepowerful King of the Huns, and then at last Hagen began to fear. Wouldthe lady to whom he had been so false punish him now that she wasagain a mighty Queen?

The years passed by, and Hagen was beginning to forget his fears whenheralds came from Etzel, the King of the Huns, bidding King Guntherand his knights come visit Queen Kriemhild in her distant home. Thecommand of Etzel was obeyed. 

But no sooner did Hagen stand before her throne than Kriemhildcommanded him to give her back the hidden treasure. This the grimcounsellor refused to do. 

'Then shalt not thou nor any of thy company return to Burgundy, ' criedKriemhild. 

And as the Queen said, so it was, for the warriors of King Etzelfought with the warriors of King Gunther, until after a grievousslaughter not one Burgundian was left alive. Thus after many years wasKing Siegfried's death avenged by Queen Kriemhild. 

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