m a glad welcome. He tarried there
three nights, and they prepared one bed. He took the sword Gram and
laid it between them. She inquired why he did so. He said that it was
enjoined him so to act towards his bride on their marriage, or he
would receive his death. He then took from her the ring called
Andvaranaut, and gave her another that had belonged to Fafnir. After
this he rode away through the same fire to his companions, when Gunnar
and he again changed forms, and they then rode home.

Brynhild related this in confidence to her foster-father Heimir, and
said: "A king named Gunnar has ridden through the flickering flame,
and is come to speak with me; but I told him that Sigurd alone might
so do, to whom I gave my vow at Hindarfiall, and that he only was the
man." Heimir said that what had happened must remain as it was.
Brynhild said: "Our daughter Aslaug thou shalt rear up here with
thee." Brynhild then went to her father, King Budli, and he with his
daughter Brynhild went to King Giuki's palace. A great feasting was
afterwards held, when Sigurd remembered all his oaths to Brynhild, and
yet kept silence. Brynhild and Gunnar sat at the drinking and drank
wine.

One day Brynhild and Gudrun went to the river Rhine, and Brynhild went
farther out into the water. Gudrun asked why she did so? Brynhild
answered: "Why shall I go on along with thee in this more than in
anything else?" "I presume that my father was more potent than thine,
and my husband has performed more valorous deeds, and ridden through
the blazing fire. Thy husband was King Hialprek's thrall." Gudrun
answered angrily: "Thou shouldst be wiser than to venture to vilify my
husband, as it is the talk of all that no one like to him in every
respect has ever come into the world; nor does it become thee to
vilify him, as he was thy former husband, and slew Fafnir, and rode
through the fire, whom thou thoughtest was King Gunnar; and he lay
with thee, and took from thee the ring Andvaranaut, and here mayest
thou recognize it." Brynhild then looking at the ring, recognized it,
and turned pale as though she were dead. Brynhild was very taciturn
that evening, and Gudrun asked Sigurd why Brynhild was so taciturn. He
dissuaded her much from making this inquiry, and said that at all
events it would soon be known.

On the morrow, when sitting in their apartment, Gudrun said: "Be
cheerful, Brynhild! What is it that prevents thy mirth?" Brynhild
answered: "Malice drive