hild.

Already the King had disembarked, and was leading his bride toward his
gracious mother. Courteously did Queen Ute welcome the stranger, while
Kriemhild kissed her and clasped her in her arms.

Some as they gazed upon the lovely maidens said that the warlike Queen
Brunhild was more beautiful than the gentle Princess Kriemhild, but
others, and these were the wiser, said that none could excel the
peerless sister of the King.

In the great plain of Worms silk tents and gay pavilions had been
placed. And there the ladies took shelter from the heat, while before
them knights and warriors held a gay tournament. Then in the cool of
the evening, a gallant train of lords and ladies, they rode toward the
castle at Worms.

Queen Ute and her daughter went to their own apartments, while the
King with Brunhild went into the banqueting hall where the wedding
feast was spread.

But ere the feast had begun, Siegfried came and stood before the King.

'Sire,' he said, 'hast thou forgotten thy promise, that when Brunhild
entered the royal city thy lady sister should be my bride?'

'Nay,' cried the King, 'my royal word do I ever keep,' and going out
into the hall he sent for the Princess.

'Dear sister,' said Gunther, as she bowed before him, 'I have pledged
my word to a warrior that thou wilt become his bride, wilt thou help
me to keep my promise?' Now Siegfried was standing by the King's side
as he spoke.

Then the gentle maiden answered meekly, 'Thy will, dear brother, is
ever mine. I will take as lord him to whom thou hast promised my
hand.' And she glanced shyly at Siegfried, for surely this was the
warrior to whom her royal brother had pledged his word.

Right glad then was the King, and Siegfried grew rosy with delight as
he received the lady's troth. Then together they went to the
banqueting hall, and on a throne next to King Gunther sat the
hero-prince, the lady Kriemhild by his side.

But when Brunhild saw the King's beautiful sister sitting on a throne
with Siegfried by her side, she began to weep.

'Why dost thou weep, fair lady?' said King Gunther. 'Are not my lands,
my castles, and all my warriors thine? Dim not thy bright eyes with
thy tears.'

'I may well weep,' said Queen Brunhild, 'because thy sister has
plighted her troth to one who is but a vassal of thine own. Thy sister
is worthy of a prince.'

'Weep not,' cried the King, 'and when the banquet is ended I will tell
thee how it is that Siegfried