Adventure XII
The War with the North-kings.
So swiftly and so pleasantly the days went by, that weeks
lengthened into months, and the spring-time passed, and the
summer came, and still Siegfried lingered in Burgundy with
his kind friends. The time was spent in all manner of
joyance,--in hunting the deer in the deep oak-woods, in
riding over the daisied meadows or among the fields of corn,
in manly games and sports, in music and dancing, in feasting
and in pleasant talk. And of all the noble folk who had ever
sat at Gunther's table, or hunted in the Burgundian woods,
none were so worthy or so fair as the proud young lord of
the Nibelungens.
One day in early autumn a party of strange knights rode up
to the castle, and asked to speak with the Burgundian kings.
They were led straightway into the great hall; and Gunther
and his brothers welcomed them, as was their wont, right
heartily, and asked them from what country they had come,
and what was their errand.
"We come," they answered, "from the North country; and we
bring word from our lords and kings, Leudiger and
Leudigast."
"And what would our kingly neighbors say to us?" asked
Gunther.
Then the strangers said that their lords had become very
angry with the Burgundian kings, and that they meant, within
twelve weeks from that day, to come with a great army, and
lay the country waste, and besiege their city and castle.
All this they had sworn to do unless the Burgundians would
make peace with them upon such terms as Leudiger and
Leudigast should please to grant.
When Gunther and his brothers heard this, they were struck
with dismay. But they ordered the messengers to be well
cared for and handsomely entertained within the palace until
the morrow, at which time they should have the Burgundians'
answer. All the noblest knights and earl-folk were called
together, and the matter was laid before them.
"What answer shall we send to our rude neighbors of the
North?" asked Gunther.
Gernot and the young Giselher declared at once for war. Old
Hagen and other knights, whose prudence was at least equal
to their bravery, said but little. It was known, that, in
the armies of the North-kings, there were at least forty
thousand soldiers; but in Burgundy there were not more than
thirty thousand fighting-men, all told. The North-kings'
forces were already equipped, and ready to march; but the
Burgundians could by no means raise and arm any considerable
body of men in the short space of twelve weeks. It would be
the part of wisdom to delay, and to see what terms could
best be made with their enemies. Such were the prudent
counsels of the older knights, but Gernot and the young
chief Volker would not listen to such words.
"The Burgundians are not cowards," said they. "We have never
been foiled in battle; never have we been the vassals of a
stranger. Why, then, shall we cringe and cower before such
men as Leudiger and Leudigast?"
Then Hagen answered, "Let us ask our friend and guest
Siegfried. Let us learn what he thinks about this business.
Everybody knows that he is as wise in council as he is brave
in the field. We will abide by what he says."
But Gunther and Gernot and the young Giselher were unwilling
to do this; for it was not their custom to annoy their
guests with questions which should be allowed to trouble
themselves alone. And the kings and their counsellors went
out of the council-chamber, each to ponder in silence upon
the troublesome question.
As Gunther, with downcast head and troubled brow, walked
thoughtfully through the great hall, he unexpectedly met
Siegfried.
"What evil tidings have you heard?" asked the prince,
surprised at the strange mien of the king. "What has gone
amiss, that should cause such looks of dark perplexity?"
"That is a matter which I can tell only to friends long
tried and true," answered Gunther.
Siegfried was surprised and hurt by these words; and he
cried out,--
"What more would Gunther ask of me that I might prove my
friendship? Surely I have tried to merit his esteem and
trust. Tell me what troubles you, and I will further show
myself to be your friend both tried and true."
Then Gunther was ashamed of the words he had spoken to his
guest; and he took Siegfried into his own chamber, and told
him all; and he asked him what answer they should send on
the morrow to the overbearing North-kings.
"Tell them we will fight," answered Siegfried. "I myself
will lead your warriors to the fray. Never shall it be said
that my friends have suffered wrong, and I not tried to help
them."
Then he and Gunther talked over the plans which they would
follow. And the clouds fled at once from the brow of the
king, and he was no longer troubled or doubtful; for he
believed in Siegfried.
© 2005 Alfaleith.org. Alfaleith™ is a service mark and trademark
of Alfaleith.org. • Web site design by Golden
Boar Creations.  |
