“’tis a vassal’s duty to pay homage to his lord.”  But Gunther laughed to himself.  Little thought had he of homage from Siegfried.  Then the Queen changed her voice.  “Dear lord,” she said, “how gladly would I see Siegfried and your dear sister once more.  Well do I remember how fair she was and how kind, how gracious of speech when we sat together, brides both of us.”  With such words she persuaded her husband.  “There are no guests that would be more welcome,” said he; “I will find messengers who shall bid them come to the Rhineland.”

Great was the joy in Rhineland when the messengers returned and told how they had been welcomed and royally entertained and loaded with gifts, and how that Siegfried and his Queen Kriemhild and a company of gallant knights were coming to the festival.  Great was the joy and manifold the preparations.

No sooner did the King hear the news than he sought out Queen Brunhild where she sat in her chamber.  “Bear you in mind,” said he, “how Kriemhild my sister welcomed you when you came hither from your own land.  Do you, therefore, dear wife, welcome her with the like affection.”  “So shall it be,” answered the Queen.

And indeed, when the guests came, right royal was the welcome that they had.  For Gunther and Brunhild rode forth from the city to meet them, and greeted them most heartily.  All was mirth and jollity.  By the day there were tilts and tournaments and sports of every kind, and at night there was feasting in the hall.  And so they did for twelve days.

But Brunhild ever cherished a thought of mischief in her heart.  “Why,” she said to herself, “why has Siegfried stayed so long to do homage for that which he holds of us in fee?  I shall not be content till Kriemhild answer me in this.”

It fell out on a certain day, while sundry knights were in the castle court, that the two Queens sat together.  The fair Kriemhild then began, “My husband is so mighty a man that he should rule these kingdoms of right.”  “Nay,” answered Brunhild, “that might be were you and your husband only alive, and all others dead, but so long as Gunther lives he must needs be King.”  Then said fair Kriemhild, “See how he shines among the knights, a very moon among the stars.”  Brunhild answered, “However brave and strong he may be, and stately to look upon, Gunther, your brother, is better than he.”  “Nay,” said Kriemhild, “better he is not, nay, nor even his peer.”  “How say you?” answered Brunhild in wrath; “I spake not without cause.  When I saw the two for the first time, then I heard with my own ears how Siegfried confessed that he was Gunther’s man.  Yea, I heard him say it, and I hold him to be such.”  “This is folly,” said Kriemhild; “think you that my brothers could have given me to be bride to a vassal?  Away, Brunhild, with such idle talk, if we would still be friends.”  “I will not away with it,” Brunhild made answer.  “Shall I renounce the service which he and all the vassals are bound to render to their lord?” “Renounce it you must,” cried Kriemhild in great wrath.  “The service of a vassal he will never do; he is of higher degree than Gunther my brother, though Gunther is a noble King.”  “You bear yourself far too proudly,” answered Brunhild.