Upon the fourth morning two and thirty men were seen to ride to court and the tale was brought to mighty Gunther that war had been declared. The very direst woes befell fair women from a lie. They gained leave to come before the king and say that they were Liudeger’s men, whom Siegfried’s hand had conquered afore and had brought as hostages to Gunther’s land. He greeted then the messengers and bade them go and seat them. One among them spake: “My lord, pray let us stand till we have told the message we do bear you. This know, ye have of a truth many a mother’s son as foe. Liudegast and Liudeger, whom ye one time gave grievous sores, declare a feud against you and are minded to ride with an army to this land.” The king waxed wroth when he heard This tale.
Men bade lead the perjurers to their lodgings. How might Siegfried, or any else against whom they plotted, ware himself against their wiles? This later brought great sorrow to them all. The king walked whispering with his friends; Hagen of Troneg never let him rest. Enow of the king’s liegemen would fain have parted the strife, but Hagen would not give up his plan. On a day Siegfried found them whispering. The hero of Netherland gan ask: “How go the king and his men so sadly? I’ll help avenge it, hath any done you aught.”
Then spake King Gunther: “I am rightly sad. Liudegast and Liudeger have challenged me to war; they are minded to ride openly into my land.”
At this the bold knight said: “Siegfried’s hand shall hinder that with zeal, as beseemeth all your honors. I’ll do yet to these knights as I did before; I’ll lay waste their lands, or ever I turn again. Be my head your pledge of this. Ye and your warriors shall stay at home and let me ride to meet them with those I have. I’ll let you see how fain I serve you. This know, through me it shall go evil with your foes.”
“Well is me of these tidings,” spake then the king, as though he were glad in earnest of this aid. With guile the faithless man bowed low.
Quoth Lord Siegfried: “Ye shall have small care.”
Then they made ready for the journey hence with the men-at-arms. This was done for Siegfried and his men to see. He, too, bade those of Netherland get them ready. Siegfried’s warriors sought out warlike weeds. Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: “My father Siegmund, ye must stay here. We shall return in short space hither to the Rhine, and God give us luck. Ye must here make merry with the king.”
They tied fast their banners, as though they would away, and there were enow of Gunther’s men who wist not wherefore this was done. Great rout of men was seen at Siegfried’s side. They bound their helmets and their breastplates upon the steeds, and many a stout knight made ready to quit the land. Then Hagen of Troneg went to find Kriemhild and asked for leave; sith they would void the land.
“Now well is me,” spake Kriemhild, “that I have won a husband who dare protect so well my loving kinsfolk, as my Lord Siegfried doth here. Therefore,” spake the queen, “will I be glad of heart. Dear friend Hagen, think on that, that I do serve you gladly and never yet did bear you hate. Requite this now to me in my dear husband. Let him not suffer, if I have done to Brunhild aught. I since have rued it,” spake the noble wife. “Moreover, he since hath beaten me black and blue; the brave hero and a good hath well avenged that ever I spake what grieved her heart.”
“Ye’ll be friends once more after some days. Kriemhild, dear lady, pray tell me how I may serve you in your husband Siegfried. Liefer will I do this for you than for any else.”
“I should be without all fear,” quoth the noble dame, “that any one wou............