both
Gunther and his invisible companion stagger and nearly fall, but, just
as she is about to cry victory, Siegfried sends back the spear
butt-end foremost and brings her to her knees. Veiling her dismay at
this first defeat, Brunhild hurls the stone to a great distance and
lands beside it with a flying leap. In Gunther's place the invisible
Siegfried hurls the same stone much farther than Brunhild, and seizing
Gunther by his belt jumps with him to the spot where it alighted.
Having thus been outdone in all three feats of strength, Brunhild no
longer refuses her hand to Gunther, who appears triumphant, although
his prospective bride looks strangely solemn and angry.

_8th Adventure._ Because Brunhild summons to her castle a large number
of warriors, under pretext of celebrating her nuptials, Siegfried
sails off unseen to the land of the Nibelungs, where he batters at
his castle gate demanding admittance. As the wary dwarf guardian of
the Nibelung hoard refuses to admit him, Siegfried fights him and
after conquering him compels him to recognize his authority. Then he
bids a thousand Nibelung warriors accompany him back to Isenland, and
Brunhild, seeing this force approaching and learning from Gunther it
is part of his suite, no longer dares to resist.

_9th Adventure._ The fair bride, escorted by all these men, now sails
across the sea and up the Rhine. As they near Burgundy, Gunther
decides to send word of their arrival, and persuades Siegfried to act
as his messenger by assuring him he will earn Kriemhild's gratitude.

Said he, "Nay, gentle Siegfried, do but this journey take,
Not for my sake only, but for my sister's sake.
You'll oblige fair Kriemhild in this as well as me."
When so implor'd was Siegfried, ready at once was he.

_10th Adventure._ Not only does Siegfried receive the fair lady's
hearty thanks, but he acts as her escort when she hastens down to the
bank to welcome her brother and his bride. The poem then describes the
kissing, speeches, and grand tournament held to welcome Brunhild, as
well as the banquet where Siegfried publicly reminds Gunther he
promised him Kriemhild's hand as soon as Brunhild was won. Exclaiming
this promise shall immediately be redeemed, Gunther sends for his
sister, although his new wife openly wonders he should bestow her hand
upon a mere vassal. Silencing his bride's objections, Gunther confers
Kriemhild's hand upon Siegfried, and thus two bridal couples sit side