The Margrave rode to meet his wife, that was not sorry to see him come back safe from the Rhine. In her joy she forgot her long dole. When she had welcomed him, he bade her alight on the grass with her attendants. The knights hasted to serve them.
When Kriemhild saw the Margravine standing with her train, she went no further, but stayed her horse and bade them lift her quickly from the saddle. The bishop led his sister’s child, he and Eckewart, to Gotelind, and all that stood in the way fell back. Then the stranger kissed the Margravine on the mouth, and Rudeger’s wife said sweetly, “Well for me, dear lady, that I have seen with mine eyes thy fair body here in this land! Naught so welcome hath, for long, befallen me.” “God reward thee, noble Gotelind,” answered Kriemhild. “If I be spared alive to live with Botlung’s child, it may indeed be well for thee that thou hast seen me.” Neither of them knew that which was to be.
The maidens, attended by the knights, advanced and greeted each other courteously; then they sat down on the clover, and many that had been strangers became acquainted. They bade pour out wine for the women; and, seeing it was already noon, they rested there no longer, but rode till they came to broad pavilions, where they were well served. They stayed there the night through, till the early morning.
The folk of Bechlaren had not failed to make them ready for the many worshipful guests, and Rudeger had so ordered it that these wanted for little. The windows in the walls were thrown wide, the Castle of Bechlaren stood open, and the welcome guests rode in. The noble host bade provide good lodging for them all. Rudeger’s daughter advanced with her attendants and received the queen right sweetly, and her mother, the Margravine, was there also. Many a maiden was lovingly greeted. They took hands and went together into a wide and goodly hall, below which flowed the Danube. There they sat merrily, and the breeze blew upon them.
What they did further, I cannot say. Kriemhild’s knights were heard mourning that they must away so soon; it irked them sore. Ha! what good warriors rode with them from Bechlaren.
Rudeger did them right loving service. They queen gave Gotelind’s daughter twelve red armlets, and, thereto, goodly raiment of the best that she had brought with her into Etzel’s land. Albeit she was bereft of the Nibelung gold, she won to her all that saw her with the small store that remained to her. Goodly were the gifts she bestowed on the followers of the host. In return, the lady Gotelind did the guests from the Rhine such honour that it had been hard to find any among them without jewels or rich apparel from her hand.
When they had eaten, and it was time to be gone, the hostess commended her true service to Etzel’s wife, who, from her side, embraced the fair Margravine lovingly. And the maiden said to the queen, “Well I know, if it seem good to thee, that my father would gladly send me into the land of the Huns to be with thee.” Kriemhild found her true indeed!
The horses stood ready before Bechlaren; the noble queen had taken leave of Rudeger’s wife and daughter, and, with many a sweet farewell, the maidens parted; seldom did they meet again.
The folk of Medilick brought out in their hands rich golden vessels, and offered them, full of wine, to the guests on the road, and bade them welcome. The host of the place hight Astolt, that showed them the way into Austria, by Mautern down below on the Danube; and here, again, the great queen was paid much worship.
At that point the bishop parted lovingly from his niece, after that he had prayed earnestly that she might prosper, and win herself honour even as Helca had done. Ha! what fame was hers after, among the Huns!