The sailors reluctantly drew near, gazing fearfully upon the three maidens, who, clad in furs and moss, resembled mermaids or wood nymphs.  But when they heard their story they gladly took them on board.  It was only when the island was out of sight, and when they were in mid-ocean, that Hagen discovered that he had fallen into the hands of Count Garadie, his father’s inveterate enemy, who now proposed to use his power to treat the young prince as a slave.  But Hagen’s rude fare, and the constant exposure of the past few years, had so developed his strength and courage that he now flew into a Berserker rage,[1] flung thirty men one after another into the sea, and so terrified his would-be master that he promised to bear him and the three maidens in safety to his father’s court. [Footnote 1:  See Guerber’s Myths of Northern Lands, p. 29.]

[Sidenote:  Hagen made king.] As Sigeband had died without leaving any other heir, Hagen was warmly welcomed home, and ascending the vacant throne, he took to wife Hilde, the fair maiden with whom he had shared his game and berries for so many years.  The royal couple were very happy, and Hagen ruled so wisely that he became a terror to his enemies and a blessing to his own subjects.  Even when engaged in warfare he proved himself an upright and generous man, never attacking the poor and weak.

“On warlike enterprises into his enemies’ land
He spared the poor from ravage of fire with powerful hand;
Whenever he encountered a warrior overbearing,
He broke his burgs and slew him with dire revenge unsparing.”

          
                                                                            Gudrun (Dippold’s tr.).

[Sidenote:  Hilde’s suitors.] Hagen and Hilde eventually became the parents of an only daughter, who was called by her mother’s name, and grew up so beautiful that many suitors soon came to Ireland to ask for her hand.  Hagen, who loved his daughter dearly and was in no haste to part from her, first replied that she was far too young to think of marriage; but when this plea was disputed he declared that Hilde should only marry a man who would defeat her father in single fight.

As Hagen was unusually tall and strong, as well as uncommonly brave, he was considered well-nigh invincible.  The suitors, dismayed at this declaration, reluctantly withdrew, even though they were all valiant men.  In those days Hettel (who corresponds to Hedin in the Edda story) was king of northern Germany and of the Hegelings.  He too heard marvelous accounts of Hilde’s beauty, and, as he was still unmarried, longed to secure her as wife.  But knowing that Hagen, in his anger, was likely to slay any ambassador who came to his court with a proposal of marriage, Hettel vowed that he would rather forego the alliance than run the risk of losing any of his tried friends and faithful servants.