Fifteenth Adventure
How Siegfried Was Betrayed
On the fourth morning, thirty and two men were seen riding to the court. They brought word to Gunther that war was declared against him. The women were woeful when they heard this lie.
The envoys won leave to go into the king, and they said they were Ludger’s men, that Siegfried’s hand had overcome in battle and brought captive into Gunther’s land.
The king greeted them, and bade them sit, but one of them said, “Let us stand, till that we have declared the message wherewith we are charged to thee. Know that thou hast to thy foemen many a mother’s son. Ludger and Ludgast, whom thou hast aforetime evilly entreated, ride hither to make war against thee in this land.”
The king fell in a rage, as if he had known naught thereof. Then they gave the false messengers good lodging. How could Siegfried or any other guess their treason, whereby, or all was done, they themselves perished?
The king went whispering up and down with his friends. Hagen of Trony gave him no peace. Many of the knights were fain to let it drop, but Hagen would not be turned from it.
On a day that Siegfried found them whispering, he asked them, “Wherefore are the king and his men so sorrowful? If any hath done aught to their hurt, I will stand by them to avenge it.”
Gunther answered, “I grieve not without cause. Ludgast and Ludger ride hither to war against me in my land.”
Then said the bold knight, “Siegfried’s arm will withstand them on such wise, that ye shall all come off with honour. I will do to these warriors even as I did aforetime. Waste will be their lands and their castles, or I be done. I pledge my head thereto. Thou and thy men shall tarry here at home, and I will ride forth with my knights that I have with me. I serve thee gladly, and will prove it. Doubt not that thy foemen shall suffer scathe at my hand.”
“These be good words,” answered the king, as he were truly glad, and craftily the false man bowed low.