Since the king was minded to make the journey, he sent away the swift envoys, and charged them with a message to his wife’s brethren at the Rhine, that he would come right gladly to their hightide.
Siegfried and Kriemhild (so runneth the tale) gave so much to the envoys that their horses scarce sufficed to carry it, for Siegfried was a rich king. So, well content, they drave their sumpters before them.
Then Siegfried and Siegmund equipped their folk, and Eckewart, the Margrave, bade bring forth the best women’s vesture that was in Siegfried’s whole land. They made ready saddles and shields, and to the knights and the gentlewomen that were to ride with them, they gave freely, that they lacked naught. Siegfried led many valiant knights to his kinsmen.
The envoys hasted on their way, and when bold Gary was come into Burgundy, they greeted him fair. The riders sprang from their horses before Gunther’s hall. And young and old, as their wont is, pressed round them and asked for news. But the good knight answered, “Ye shall have it when I have told it to the king.” And he passed on with his comrades to Gunther.
The king sprang from his seat for joy, and Brunhild thanked them that they were so soon back again. To the envoys spake Gunther then, “How fareth it with Siegfried, that hath ever done well by me?”
And Gary answered, “He and thy sister waxed red for joy. Kinder greeting sent man never to his friends than Siegfried and his father Siegmund send to thee.”
Then said the queen to the Margrave, “Tell me, I prithee; cometh Kriemhild with them? And hath her body lost nothing of its fairness?”
Whereto Gary answered, “They will both come, and, with them, many knights.”
Then Uta bade the envoys to her presence, and showed by her questions what most she desired to know—how it fared with Kriemhild. He told her how he had found her, and that she would come thither shortly.
They declared also the envoy’s fee that Siegfried had given them: the apparel and the gold. All the knights of the three kings saw it, and praised Siegfried.