er master.

"Come hither all my kinsmen and followers," she said, "and acknowledge
my superior. I am no longer your mistress. Gunther is your lord."

The wedding was fitly celebrated and then Gunther and his bride were
escorted back to Issland by a thousand Nibelung warriors whom Siegfried
had gathered for the purpose. A great banquet was given upon their
return, at which the impatient Siegfried ventured to remind Gunther of
his promise. Brunhild protested that Gunther should not give his only
sister to a menial, but Gunther gave his consent and the marriage took
place immediately. The two bridal couples then sat side by side.
Kriemhild's face was very happy; Brunhild's was dark and frowning.

You see, Brunhild was not pleased with the husband she had gained and
preferred Siegfried. Alone with her husband the first night she bound
him with her girdle and suspended him from a corner of her apartment.
There she let him hang till morning. Released, Gunther sought out
Siegfried and told him of the disgraceful affair.

The following evening Siegfried again donned his cloud cloak and entered
the apartments of Gunther and Brunhild. As he entered he blew out the
lights, caught Brunhild's hands and wrestled with her until she pleaded
for mercy.

"Great king, forbear," she said. "I will henceforth be thy dutiful wife.
I will do nothing to anger thee. Thou art my lord and master."

Having accomplished his purpose, Siegfried left the room, but first he
took Brunhild's girdle and her ring. These he carried with him when
after the festivities he and Kriemhild returned to Xante on the Rhine.

Siegmund and Sieglinde abdicated in favor of their son, and for ten
years Siegfried and Kriemhild reigned happily. Then they were invited to
pay a visit to Gunther and Brunhild. They accepted, leaving their little
son Gunther in the care of the Nibelungs.

Brunhild received Kriemhild graciously, but at heart she was jealous
and wanted Kriemhild to acknowledge her as superior. One day they had a
hot dispute, Kriemhild declaring that her husband was without peer in
the world, and Brunhild retorting that since he was Gunther's vassal he
must be his inferior. Kriemhild made an angry avowal that she would
publicly assert her rank.

Both queens parted in a rage and proceeded to attire themselves in the
most gorgeous costumes they possessed. Accompanied by their
ladies-in-waiting they met at the church door. Brunhild bade Kriemhild
stand aside