at Dietrich welcometh so lovingly. He
beareth him proudly. Howso is his father hight, he is, certes, a goodly
warrior."

One of Kriemhild's men answered the king, "He was born at Trony. The
name of his father was Aldrian. Albeit now he goeth gently, he is a grim
man. I will prove to thee yet that I lie not."

"How shall I find him so grim?" He knew nothing, as yet, of all that the
queen contrived against her kinsmen: by reason whereof not one of them
escaped alive from the Huns.

"I know Hagen well. He was my vassal. Praise and mickle honour he won
here by me. I made him a knight, and gave him my gold. For that he
proved him faithful, I was ever kind to him. Wherefore I may well know
all about him. I brought two noble children captive to this land--him
and Walter of Spain. Here they grew to manhood. Hagen I sent home
again. Walter fled with Hildegund."

So he mused on the good old days, and what had happed long ago, for he
had seen Hagen, that did him stark service in his youth. Yet now that he
was old, he lost by him many a dear friend.

Twenty-Ninth Adventure

How Hagen and Folker Sat Before Kriemhild's Hall

The two valiant knights, Hagen of Trony and Sir Dietrich, parted, and
Gunther's man looked back for a comrade that he soon espied. He saw
Folker, the cunning fiddler, by Giselher, and bade him come with him, for
well he knew his grim mood. He was in all things a warrior bold and good.

The knights still stood in the court. These two alone were seen crossing
the yard to a large hall at a distance. They feared no man. They sat
down before the house, on a bench opposite Kriemhild's chamber. Their
goodly apparel shone bright on their bodies. Not a few of them that
looked were fain to know them. The Huns gaped at the proud heroes as
they had been wild beasts, and Etzel's wife saw them through a window,
and was troubled anew. She thought on her old wrong, and began to weep.
Etzel's men marvelled much what had grieved her so sore. She said, "Good
knights, it is Hagen that hath done it."

Then said they to the queen, "How came it to pass? A moment ago we saw
thee of good cheer. There is no man so bold, had he done thee a hurt,
and thou badest us avenge thee, but he should answer for it with his
life."

"Him that avenged my wrong I would thank evermore. All that he asked I
would give him. I fall at your feet; only avenge me on Hagen, that he
lose his life."

Thereupon sixty