Then they bade Etzel’s men come before her, that were fain to be gone with her answer, whether it was a “yea” or a “nay.” So Rudeger came to the court. His comrades urged him to learn the princes’ mind without delay. This seemed good to them all, for it was a far way back to their land.
They brought Rudeger to Kriemhild. And the knight asked the queen gently to let him hear the message she sent to Etzel. He won nothing from her but denial, for never could she love another man.
Then said the Margrave, “That were ill done. Wherefore ruin so fair a body? Still mayest thou with honour become a good man’s wife.” Yet all their entreaty availed not, till that Rudeger said secretly to the queen that he would make good to her any hurt that might befall her. At that, her grief abated somewhat.
He said to the queen, “Weep no more. If thou hadst none among the Huns save me, my faithful kinsmen, and my men, sore must he pay for it that did thee wrong.”
Much milder was the lady’s mood, and she said, “Swear me an oath that, should any do aught against me, thou wilt be the first to avenge it.”
The Margrave answered, “I will swear it.”
So Rudeger swore with all his men always to serve her truly, and to deny her nothing in Etzel’s land that her honour called for, and he confirmed it with his hand.
Then thought the faithful woman, “Since I, a forlorn woman, can win so many friends, I will let the folk say what they please. Haply I may yet avenge my dear husband’s death. Etzel hath so many knights that, were they mine to command, I could do what I would. Thereto, he is so wealthy that I shall have wherewith to bestow gifts. Cruel Hagen hath taken my treasure from me.”
She said to Rudeger, “Had I not heard he was a heathen, I would go gladly at his bidding, and take him to husband.”
The Margrave answered, “Say no more of that, Lady. He is not quite a heathen, be assured, for my dear master hath been christened; albeit he hath turned again. Haply he will think better of it shouldst thou wed him. He hath so many Christian knights that no ill could betide thee. And thou mightst easily win back the good prince, heart and soul, to God.”