How the Curse of the Gold is Fulfilled
This is the tale the Northmen tell of how Sigurd
was foully slain in the land of the Niblungs.
ow when Sigurd had ridden far upon his way, he came to the land of the Niblungs, a place of eternal mists, ruled over by Giuki and his wife Grimhild. Three fine sons had they and one daughter, Gudrun, the fairest maiden upon earth.
But Grimhild was a witch-wife—a fierce-hearted woman, learned in magic and filled with crafty wile.
When they saw Sigurd riding into the courtyard with his glittering armour and his burden of treasure, the king and queen said to one another: "Surely one of the Asas has come hither; for the array of this stranger shines with the gold-gleam, and his horse is mightier than other horses, and the man himself excels in bearing all that we have ever seen."
So the king went out with his court to greet Sigurd, and asked: "Who art thou, who ridest into my kingdom without the leave of my sons, as none have dared to do before?"
And he answered: "Sigurd am I, the son of Sigmund."
And the king said: "Be thou welcome here then, and take from our hands whatsoever thou wilt have."
So for a time Sigurd lived in great honour at the court of the Niblungs, from whence he fared forth upon many adventures with the princes of that land, and ever was he foremost of them all.