Then thought the faithful mourner, “with such a host of friends
  Now the poor lonely widow may work her secret ends,
  Nor care for what reflections the world on her may cast. 
  What if my lost beloved I may revenge at last?”

Then, still escorted by the faithful Ekkewart and carrying off with her the small portion of the Nibelungen treasure which she still retains, Kriemhild starts out for Hungary.

21st Adventure. The three Burgundian princes escort their sister to the Danube and, taking leave of her there, allow her to proceed with Rudiger to Passau, where her uncle, Bishop Pilgrin, gives her a warm welcome.  Thence the travellers proceed to Rudiger’s castle, where his wife and daughter entertain their future queen, who bestows upon them costly treasures.  Resuming her journey, Kriemhild is now met on all sides by the ovations of her future subjects.

22d Adventure. When Etzel and his chief noblemen finally meet her, Kriemhild courteously kisses her future spouse, as well as the men whom he points out as worthy of such distinction.  Among these is Dietrich of Bern, one of the heroes of the poem, and it is under his escort that the king and queen of Hungary proceed to Vienna, where their marriage festivities last seventeen days.

23d Adventure. Seven years elapse, and, although Kriemhild has a son by Etzel, she still grieves for Siegfried and continually broods over her wrongs.  One day she suddenly suggests that King Etzel invite her kinsmen to Hungary, and, when he consents, gives special instructions to the bards who bear the message to make sure that Hagen accompanies her brothers.

24th Adventure. After fourteen days’ journey the minstrels reach Worms and deliver their message.  All are in favor of accepting this invitation save Hagen, who remarks that such friendliness seems suspicious.  When his master retorts a guilty conscience harbors fear, Hagen stoutly avers he is ready to serve as guide, suggesting, however, that they journey fully armed, with an escort of a thousand men, so as to cope with treachery should such occur.

  “Turn, while there’s time for safety, turn, warriors most and least;
  For this, and for this only, you’re bidden to the feast,
  That you perforce may perish in Etzel’s bloody land. 
  Whoever rideth thither, Death has he close at hand.”

25th Adventure. Dismissed with the old queen’s blessing, the Burgundians leave Brunhild and her son in charge of a steward, and set out.  As they are now sole possessors of the great Nibelung hoard, the poet terms them Nibelungs in the remainder of his work.  Under the guidance of Hagen, who alone knows the way, the party reaches the banks of the Danube, where, finding no vessels to ferry them across, Hagen bids them wait until he provide means of transportation.  Walking down the river, he surprises three swan-maidens bathing, and by capturing their garments induces them to predict the future.  Although one promises him all manner of pleasant things to recover her plumes, her companions, having secured theirs, warn Hagen that none but the priest will return safely to Burgundy, and inform him that he can secure a boat by assuring the ferry-man on the opposite bank that his name is Amalung.