The Wooing of Brunhilde
SIEGFRIED’S days passed happily at Gunther’s court, and now that he had become the husband of the beautiful Kriemhild he desired nothing better than to spend his life beside her in the pleasant land of Burgundy. Ever since the day of his marriage all of his former life seemed to be shrouded in mist. He but dimly remembered the forging of Balmung and his fight with the dragon Fafnir, while the meeting with Brunhilde had, owing to the magic potion, passed wholly from his memory. He was very happy with the lovely and gentle Kriemhild, who had wedded him believing that she alone had won the young hero’s heart, for her mother had spoken no word to her of the Valkyrie whom Siegfried loved, or of the draught which had been given to make him forget her. As for Siegfried, he was proud of being chosen above all the other suitors who came to win the hand of Gunther’s sister; and he was sure that there lived upon the earth no maiden fairer than the peerless Kriemhild.
One day there came to the palace an old harper. His hair was white and his figure bent with age, but he could still play wonderful music, and sing bravely of the deeds of heroes. Many days and nights he sang in the great hall of the castle, and the listeners never wearied of his music. Sometimes he laid aside his harp and told strange tales of his wanderings; and one night as he sat before Siegfried and King Gunther at the feast, he spoke to them of a certain country called Isenland, where dwelt a beautiful maiden whom many kings and princes had sought to wed. “But,” continued the old man, “she has never yet been won, for she is a warrior queen, and to those who seek her hand she proposes a trial of strength with the condition that he who loses in the contest must also lose his life. This has daunted many a suitor, for the fame of the maiden’s strength has spread far and wide, yet there have been some brave men who have dared to try, and, failing, have forfeited their lives.”
“But why is she willing to marry, if she has more than a man’s strength, and can go to battle like any warrior?” asked Gunther.
“She does not wish to do so,” replied the harper; “but it is written in the runes that she must wed. She is determined, however, to yield only to the hero whose strength can surpass her own, and therefore she demands that all suitors shall meet her in this contest.”
“What is her name?” asked the king.
“It is Brunhilde,” answered the old man, and at this Gunther looked fearfully at Siegfried, wondering if the name would bring back to him the memory of his ride through the fire and his meeting with the Valkyrie. But on Siegfried’s face was a look of entire unconcern, and he smiled as the blood rushed into Gunther’s cheeks, and cried:—
“Look now at the king’s face, Sir Harper, and see how quickly you have found another victim for the warrior maiden. Methinks he is already eager to behold her beauty and win her for his queen. How is it, friend Gunther?”
“Even as you have said,” replied the king, “for I would fain risk my life to gain this wonderful maiden.”