Then Kriemhild sent for Hagen of Trony and for Ortwin, and asked them if they and their kinsmen would ride with her. But Hagen fell in a fury and cried, “To no man in this world shall Gunther give us. Others can ride with thee. Thou knowest the men of Trony and their way. By the king at the court will we bide, to serve him and follow him as heretofore.”
So she let the matter rest, and made ready for the journey; for her followers she won two and thirty maidens and five hundred men, among the which was Eckewart the Margrave. And they took their leave, as was meet: knights and squires, damsels and dames. They parted thence with kisses, and set out from Gunther’s land joyfully.
Her kinsmen brought her far on her way, and had night quarters put up where they desired them, in the king’s land. And they despatched envoys to King Siegmund, to tell him and Queen Sieglind how that their son drew nigh with fair Kriemhild, Queen Uta’s child, from Worms on the Rhine.
They could not have brought them better news.
Siegmund said, “Praised be God that I have lived to see the day when Kriemhild shall wear the crown here. My heritage is increased in worth, and Siegfried himself shall be king.”
Queen Sieglind gave the envoys, for fee, red velvet and heavy silver and gold, for she was glad at the news.
Her women began to adorn them in haste, and when Sieglind knew who came with Siegfried, she let seats be builded, where he might be crowned in presence of his kinsmen.
King Siegmund’s knights rode out to meet them. Never heroes were better welcomed, I trow, than these, into Siegmund’s land. Sieglind rode forth, herself, to greet fair Kriemhild, with beautiful women and bold knights, a day’s journey or they spied the guests. And strangers and friends were pressed alike for room, till that they came to a great castle that hight Xanten, where Siegfried and his wife were crowned afterward.
Siegmund and Sieglind kissed Kriemhild, and Siegfried also, many times with smiling mouth for their sorrow was ended; and Kriemhild’s attendants got a gracious welcome.
They brought the guests into Siegmund’s palace, and lifted the fair damsels from the horses. There were knights enow eager to serve them.