“Now are ye henceforth true lieges to King Günther, one and all!”
Then came all the chiefs to lay their arms at the feet of the King; and after he had saluted Brunhild with courtly words, she bade him repair with her to the marble palace, while Hagen and Dankwart followed to share in the honors of their lord.
But Siegfried had made all speed to the ship to lay aside the cap and now returning, sought the Queen and asked her if the contest would not soon begin. Brunhild confessed that she had lost the wager; whereupon Siegfried said:
“Right joyful news is this, fair Queen! Now of a truth must thou fare with us to the Rhine!”
To this Brunhild made no reply, but she forthwith summoned all her kinsmen and followers to the castle. Then from all quarters there began to assemble so vast a number of knights and warriors that Hagen grew uneasy, and said:
“Methinks this bodeth us no good. Albeit Brunhild’s court hath sworn fealty to our King, yet may her people look upon him as a foe and evil befall us thereby.”
“Thy words are wise,” replied Siegfried. “Now will I go hence and summon to our aid such warriors as never yet hast thou beholden. A thousand mighty champions will I fetch hither; but should any mark my absence, do thou, King Günther, say that thou hast despatched me hence.”
And thereto the King gladly agreed, but bade him return as speedily as might be.
Chapter X
Siegfried Visits the Nibelungs
