One day Brynhild and Gudrun went to the river Rhine, and Brynhild went farther out into the water.  Gudrun asked why she did so?  Brynhild answered:  “Why shall I go on along with thee in this more than in anything else?” “I presume that my father was more potent than thine, and my husband has performed more valorous deeds, and ridden through the blazing fire.  Thy husband was King Hialprek’s thrall.”  Gudrun answered angrily:  “Thou shouldst be wiser than to venture to vilify my husband, as it is the talk of all that no one like to him in every respect has ever come into the world; nor does it become thee to vilify him, as he was thy former husband, and slew Fafnir, and rode through the fire, whom thou thoughtest was King Gunnar; and he lay with thee, and took from thee the ring Andvaranaut, and here mayest thou recognize it.”  Brynhild then looking at the ring, recognized it, and turned pale as though she were dead.  Brynhild was very taciturn that evening, and Gudrun asked Sigurd why Brynhild was so taciturn.  He dissuaded her much from making this inquiry, and said that at all events it would soon be known.

On the morrow, when sitting in their apartment, Gudrun said:  “Be cheerful, Brynhild!  What is it that prevents thy mirth?” Brynhild answered:  “Malice drives thee to this; for thou hast a cruel heart.”  “Judge not so,” said Gudrun.  Brynhild continued:  “Ask about that only which is better for thee to know; that is more befitting women of high degree.  It is good, too, for thee to be content, as all goes according to thy wishes.”  Gudrun said:  “It is premature to glory in that:  this forebodes something; but what instigates thee against us?” Brynhild answered:  “Thou shalt be requited for having espoused Sigurd; for I grudge thee the possession of him.”  Gudrun said:  “We knew not of your secret.”  Brynhild answered:  “We have had no secret, though we have sworn oaths of fidelity; and thou knowest that I have been deceived, and I will avenge it.”  Gudrun said:  “Thou art better married than thou deservest to be, and thy violence must be cooled.”  “Content should I be,” said Brynhild, “didst thou not possess a more renowned husband than I.”  Gudrun answered:  “Thou hast as renowned a husband; for it is doubtful which is the greater king.”  Brynhild said:  “Sigurd overcame Fafnir, and that is worth more than all Gunnar’s kingdom, as it is said: 

“Sigurd the serpent slew, and that henceforth shall be by none forgotten, while mankind lives:  but thy brother neither dared through the fire to ride, nor over it to leap.”

Gudrun said:  “Grani would not run through the fire under King Gunnar:  but he [Gunnar] dared to ride.”  Brynhild said:  “Let us not contend:  I bear no good will to Grimhild.”  Gudrun said:  “Blame her not; for she is towards thee as to her own daughter.”  Brynhild said:  “She is the cause of all the evil which gnaws me.  She presented to Sigurd the pernicious drink, so that he no more remembered me.”