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Around the towers of the King's castle raged the primeval strife of the winter giants against the good gods who protect the increase on man's earth. The hard powers raised a gray roof of clouds between the light of heaven and the earth; they oppressed also the Hero Ingo with dark thoughts and anxious cares for the welfare of her who was dear to him. The storm-spirits drove the snowflakes through the crevices of the building, upon the bed-coverlet of the guest; even the warrior, who wore his bearskin, felt the sharp tooth of the frost, and pressed close, during the day, to the hearth-fire in the hall of the host, and sang sorrowfully, "The time of snow is suffering to the traveling hero; then his best friend is the pine log. The ungracious enemies of life separate the stream from the free air by a heavy covering of ice, and angrily does the Nixy, who makes her home in the deep, strike and hammer from underneath against the crystal burden." But what stirred under the icy covering which concealed the thoughts of the Queen no one knew; she alone sat quiet among the quarreling men; unvaried was her cold friendliness to the strangers: only the King imagined that Gisela spoke less haughtily than formerly. When the north wind howled its death-song round the King's towers, then Bisino sometimes murmured against his guests; but his liking for the stranger always again overcame his vexation; and whenever a ray of sun gave a rosy color to the covering of snow, he exclaimed, "I approve of this winter; for I hear good words on my royal bench and in the room." In addition to the hunting excursions, which were arranged by the King for the Hero, there was also a warlike expedition against a district of Saxony. In this the Vandals rode with the King's men; and when the heroes returned home victorious, and laden with booty, the King loudly extolled Ingo's good sword, and then the boys sat patiently with the strangers.

The snow melted under the spring sun; fresh green sprouted up on the earth; the brown catkins hung on the birch and hazel trees; in the souls of men also stirred the hopes of a new life, and a wish for a ride out in the country from the winter roof. The first wandering birds flew back from the south, and with them the minstrel Volkmar. He told in the King's hall of the past fights of gods and heroes, and sang low in Ingo's ear of the sorrow and longing of a forest bird. Then he related that in the forest arbor discord and hard speeches disturbed the minds of the wise men. Theodulf was still ailing in the house of the Prince; Sintram's kindred were powerful there; and Answald ruled ill-temperedly over his companions, and had asked the minstrel to the marriage of his daughter in the month of May. But also from the King's castle confidential greetings passed to the forest. Wolf received leave of absence to his home; before his journey he spoke secretly with his lord and Berthar, rested on the road at the houses of Rothari and Bero, and rode with Bero along little-frequented forest paths southward to the Main. When he returned, there were glad looks in the dwelling of the guests.

At last the ice covering of the stream gave way, and the flood poured with great force over the young green of the meadows; its rapidly swollen waters roared, and men observed with fear its ungovernable power. But the east wind rose against it with a strong blast; it subdued the flood, and dried the ground on the borders of the forest hills. The falconer had reared for the King's son two young buzzards, for the chase of little birds, and Hermin one morning begged permission of his father to go on a riding excursion, in order to try the skill of the feathered hunters.

The King's horse was already saddled for the hawking, when suddenly a messenger galloped into the court, bearing tidings which brought a dark shadow over the brow of the King. He ordered his horse to be led back, and sent his son, with the Queen and the Hero Ingo, up to the hills. The sun shone bright and warm, and Ingo rode for the first time next the Queen, without her retinue, in the open country. The falconer loosened the hood of the buzzard; the young King hunted with the Hero Balda and his attendants, shouting under the bird. The Queen followed more slowly, with glowing cheeks; she made her fiery horse prance, and smiled on her attendant, who was pleased with the beautiful woman by his side, and watched with anxiety the leaps of her horse. Once, when he caught her bridle with a helping hand, the Queen stopped, and said:

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