en Whitsun
morning dawned, five thousand men and more had come to Rhineland,
where free from care dwelt King Gunther.

When the knights had entered the lists, the King sent a hundred of his
liegemen that they might bring Queen Ute and her gentle daughter to
the great hall.

Clad in their rich robes of state, the Queen and her many maidens
came, and among them all was none to compare with the peerless maiden
Kriemhild.

When Siegfried saw the Princess he knew that she was indeed more
radiant in her beauty than he had even dreamed, and the hero's heart
grew heavy.

How could it ever be that he should wed so fair, so kind a maiden. He
could see the kindness shining in her bright eyes. Yet surely he had
but dreamed a foolish dream, and thinking thus the knight grew pale
and troubled.

Then King Gernot, whose eyes saw what other eyes were ofttimes too
dull to heed, then King Gernot, seeing Siegfried's cheeks grow pale,
said to his brother Gunther, 'Bid the hero who hath served thee right
nobly, bid him go greet our sister. For though she hath scorned full
many a knight, him will she welcome with right good cheer.'

King Gernot's words pleased his royal brother, and a messenger was
sent to Siegfried, bidding him greet the Princess.

Swift then leaped the roses to Sir Siegfried's cheeks, as he hastened
to where Kriemhild sat among her maidens.

'Be welcome here, Sir Siegfried, for thou art a good and noble
knight,' said the maiden softly. Then, as in reverence he bent low
before his lady, she rose and took his right hand graciously in her
own.

As they stood thus together the great bells of the Minster pealed, and
lords and ladies wended their way to the church of God to hear a Mass
sung, and to give thanks for the great victory the Burgundian heroes
had won. At the Minster door Siegfried must needs leave the Princess
that she might sit among her maidens. But when the service was ended
they walked together to the castle.

'Now God reward thee, Siegfried,' said the maiden, 'for right well
hast thou served my royal brother.'

'Thee I will serve for ever,' cried the happy hero, 'thee will I serve
for ever, and thy wishes shall ever be my will!'

Then for twelve glad days were Siegfried and Kriemhild ofttimes side
by side. And when he tilted in the tournament, he felt that the bright
eyes of his lady were shining upon him, and his skill was greater even
than it had used to be.

At length the merry Maytide games