Siegfried now resolved to win Kriemhild, and on Gunther’s asking him to accompany him on an adventure the purpose of which is to gain the hand of Queen Brunhild of Isenstein, he accepted on condition that on their return he should be rewarded by the hand of his sister.  To this Gunther gave assent, and they set out, accompanied by Hagen and his brother Dankwart.  But the Nibelungenlied proper is silent regarding Siegfried’s previous relations with Brunhild.  In Scandinavian versions—­such as the Volsunga Saga, where this legend, originally a German one, is preserved in its pagan form—­Brunhild was a Valkyr, or war-maiden of Odin, who sent her to sleep with a prick of a magic thorn and imprisoned her within a circle of flame, through which Siegfried (in this version almost certainly the god of nature, springtide, and the sun) broke, delivered the captive, and took her as his bride, soon, however, departing from her.  In the Nibelungenlied this ancient myth is either presupposed or intentionally omitted as unfitting for consumption by a Christianized folk, but it is hinted that Brunhild had a previous claim upon Siegfried’s affections.

Brunhild had made it a condition that the hero whom she would wed must be able to overcome her in three trials of prowess, losing his head as a penalty of failure.  Siegfried, donning the magic cloak of invisibility he had won from Alberich, king of the dwarfs, took Gunther’s place and won the three trials for him, Gunther going through a pantomime of the appropriate actions while Siegfried performed the feats.  The passage which tells of the encounter is curious.  A great spear, heavy and keen, was brought forth for Brunhild’s use.  It was more a weapon for a hero of might than for a maiden, but, unwieldy as it was, she was able to brandish it as easily as if it had been a willow wand.  Three and a half weights of iron went to the making of this mighty spear, which scarce three of her men could carry.  Sore afraid was Gunther.  Well did he wish him safe in the Burgundian land.  “Once back in Rhineland,” thought he, “and I would not stir a foot’s distance to win any such war-maid.”

But up spake Dankwart, Hagen’s valiant brother:  “Now is the day come on which we must bid farewell to our lives.  An ill journey has this been, I trow, for in this land we shall perish at the hands of women.  Oh, that my brother Hagen and I had but our good swords here!  Then would these carles of Brunhild’s check their laughter.  Without arms a man can do nothing, but had I a blade in hand even Brunhild herself should die ere harm came to our dear lord.”

This speech heard the warrior-maid.  “Now put these heroes’ swords into their hands,” she commanded, “and accoutre them in their mail.”

Right glad was Dankwart to feel iron in his hand once more and know its weight upon his limbs.  “Now I am ready for such play as they list,” he cried.  “Since we have arms, our lord is not yet conquered.”