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Adventure XVI
How Brunhild Was Welcomed Home.
When the next morning's sun arose, and its light gilded the
mountain peaks, and fell in a flood of splendor down upon
the rich uplands and the broad green fields of Nibelungen
Land, Siegfried, with his earls and mighty men, rode through
the valley, and down to the seashore. There a pleasant sight
met his eyes: for the little bay was white with the sails of
a hundred gold-beaked vessels which lay at anchor; and on
the sandy beach there stood in order three thousand island
warriors,--the bravest and the best of all the
Nibelungens,--clad in armor, and ready to hear and to do
their master's bidding. And Siegfried told them why he had
thus hastily called them together; and he gave to each one
rich gifts of gold and jewels and costly raiment. Then he
chose from among them one thousand of the most trustworthy,
who should follow him back to Isenland; and these went
aboard the waiting vessels, amid the cheers and the
farewells of their comrades who were left behind. And when
every thing was in readiness, the anchors were hoisted and
the sails were set, and the little fleet, wafted by pleasant
winds, sailed out of the bay, and eastward across the calm
blue sea. And Siegfried's vessel, with a golden dragon
banner floating from the masthead, led all the rest.
On the fourth day after Siegfried's departure from Isenland,
Dankwart and grim old Hagen sat in a room of the castle at
Isenstein. Outside and below they heard the fair-haired
warriors of Queen Brunhild pacing to and fro, and ready, at
a word, to seize upon the strangers, and either to put them
to death, or to drive them forever from the land. Old
Hagen's brows were closely knit, and his face was dark as a
thunder-cloud, and his hands played nervously with his
sword-hilt, as he said,--
"Where now is Gunther, the man whom we once called king?"
"He is standing on the balcony above, talking with the queen
and her maidens," answered Dankwart.
"The craven that he is!" cried Hagen hoarsely. "Once he was
a king, and worthy to be obeyed; but now who is the king?
That upstart Siegfried has but to say what shall be done,
and our master Gunther, blindly and like a child, complies.
Four days ago we might have taken ship, and sailed safely
home. Now our vessel is gone, the boasted hero is gone, and
nothing is left for us to do but to fight and die."
"But we are sure of Odin's favor," returned Dankwart; and a
wild light gleamed from his eyes, and he brandished his
sword high over his head. "A place in Valhal is promised to
us; for, him who bravely dies with his blood-stained sword
beside him and his heart unrent with fears, the All-Father's
victory-wafters will gently carry home. Even now, methinks,
I sit in the banqueting-hall of the heroes, and quaff the
flowing mead."
* * * *
* In the mean while Gunther stood with Queen Brunhild at an
upper window, and looked out upon the great sea that spread
forever and away towards the setting sun. And all at once,
as if by magic, the water was covered with white-sailed
ships, which, driven by friendly winds and the helping hands
of AEgir's daughters and the brawny arms of many a stalwart
oarsman, came flying towards the bay.
"What ships are those with the snow-white sails and the
dragon-stems?" asked Brunhild, wondering.
Gunther gazed for a moment towards the swift-coming fleet,
and his eyes were gladdened with the sight of Siegfried's
dragon-banner floating from the vessel in the van. A great
load seemed lifted from his breast, for now he knew that the
hoped-for help was at hand. And, smiling he answered the
queen,--
"Those white-sailed ships are mine. My body-guard--a
thousand of my trustiest fighting-men--are on board, and
every man is ready to die for me."
And as the vessels came into the harbor, and the sailors
furled the sails, and cast the anchors into the sea,
Siegfried was seen standing on the golden prow of his ship,
arrayed in princely raiment, with his earls and chiefs
around him. And their bright armor glittered in the
sunlight, and their burnished shields shone like so many
golden mirrors. A fairer sight had the folk of Isenstein
never seen.
Long and earnestly Queen Brunhild gazed, and then, turning
away, she burst into tears; for she knew that she had been
again outwitted, and that it was vain for her to struggle
against the Norns' decrees. Then, crushing back the grief
and the sore longing that rose in her heart, she spoke again
to Gunther, and her eyes shone stern and strange.
"What now will you have me do?" she asked; "for you have
fairly won me, and my wayward fancies shall no longer vex
you. Shall I greet your friends with kindness, or shall we
send them back again over the sea?"
"I pray you give them welcome to the broad halls of
Isenstein," he answered; "for no truer, nobler men live than
these my liegemen."
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