Siegfried was the helmsman. On the twelfth day Iceland loomed before them, its lofty towers rising boldly from the mirror-like surface of the water. Now a sudden fancy seized Siegfried, and he told his comrades that not as a king’s son would he appear in Iceland, but as vassal to King Günther.
As the ship drew near the mighty castle of Isenstein they saw that the windows were filled with fair damsels; whereupon Siegfried asked the King which of them seemed to him the most beautiful. Günther pointed out the tallest, a stately maiden clad all in purest white, who, Siegfried declared, was no other than Brunhild herself. But anon they all vanished from the windows and hastened to adorn themselves, that they might welcome the knights as was their due. Siegfried, in his part of vassal, led forth from the ship a horse bridled with gold, and held the stirrup for King Günther to mount, and thereafter fetched his own horse and followed. The King’s steed and his rider were magnificently decked with gold and jewels, while behind rode Hagen and his brother Dankwart, clad all in sable and mounted on coal-black horses.
Eighty-six turrets rose above the outer wall of the castle; and within the gates, which stood wide open, could be seen three palaces and a vast hall, built all of green marble. As they rode into the courtyard Brunhild’s retainers met them and demanded their weapons; whereat Hagen frowned, nor would he yield up his till Siegfried, who had aforetime been Brunhild’s guest, admonished him that such was the custom at her court. Yet was it with bad grace that he obeyed. Meanwhile Brunhild had questioned her followers concerning the strangers; whereupon one said:
“For myself, lady, I know them not. Yet hath yonder stalwart knight a look of Siegfried; the other would seem a king, methinks; the third frowns darkly, as he were of a sullen humor; while the fourth is but a youth, yet frank and courteous withal.”
Then Brunhild descended the broad stairs to greet the knights, and following her came a train of a hundred damsels most fair to see, and five hundred knights bearing swords in their hands.
Chapter IX
The Contest
AS Brunhild drew nigh, she greeted Siegfried, saying: “If it is to woo me that thou comest hither, take heed, for peradventure it may cost thee thy life!”
But Siegfried pointed to Günther and replied: “Yonder stands the King of Burgundy, fair Queen, who comes to seek thy hand: as for me, I am but his vassal.”
Then Günther stepped forward to urge his suit before the Queen, but no reply would she vouchsafe, save to warn him that he must submit to the trial. Then Siegfried whispered to the King to be of good heart and rely on his aid; but Hagen became furious and defiantly offered to do battle with the Queen on behalf of his lord. Thereupon Brunhild threatened them all with death should the King not prevail; but finding that even this failed to shake their purpose, she commanded that the trial take place without delay. When they had come to the spot she donned a golden coat of mail and over this a silken tabard, edged with costly lace. Seven hundred knights then stepped forth and formed a circle about them: these were to be the judges of the contest.