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!

So the strangers fared on to the Traisem, diligently waited on by
Rudeger's men, till that the Huns were seen riding across the land.
Mickle worship was done there to the queen.

Fast by the Traisem the King of the Huns had a goodly castle and a
famous, called Traisenmauer. There Helca had dwelled and ruled more
mildly than any hath done since, save Kriemhild, who likewise gave freely
of her goods. Well might she live happily after her mourning, and win
praise from Etzel's men, the which the heroes soon gave her to the full.

So famed was Etzel's rule that the boldest knights ever heard of among
Christians or heathens drew ceaselessly to his court; and all these were
come with him. One saw there what one never sees now--Christian and
heathen together. Howso divers their beliefs were, the king gave with
such free hand that all had plenty.

Twenty-Second Adventure

How She Was Received Among the Huns

She tarried at Traisenmauer till the fourth day, during which time the
dust on the road was never still, but rose like flame from all sides.
And King Etzel's men rode thither through Austria.

When it was told to the king how proudly Kriemhild advanced through the
land, his old sorrow vanished clean from his mind, and he set out to meet
the fair one. In front of him on the way rode many a bold knight--a
vast host of Christians and heathens of many divers tongues. When they
spied the queen, they came on in stately array. Russians and Greeks were
there. Polacks and Wallachians spurred along, deftly managing their good
horses, displaying themselves each according to the custom of his own
land. From Kiow came many a knight. Savage Petschenegers were there
also, that shot with their bows at the birds that flew by, and drew their
arrow-heads strongly to the utmost stretch of the bow.

In Austria, by the Danube, is a town that hight Tulna. There Kriemhild
learned many a strange custom that she had not seen afore, and was
welcomed by not a few that, after, suffered dole through her.

The men of King Etzel's household rode before him, merry and rich-attired,
fair accoutred and courtly: full four and twenty princes, great
and noble. To behold their queen was all they sought. Duke Ramung of
Wallachia spurred up to her with seven hundred men. Then came