But King Gunther would not yield.  “How strong soever she be, and whatever the chances that befall me, I will woo this fair Brunhild,” he said.  Then said Hagen, the King’s uncle, “Since you are resolved to take in hand this enterprise, ask Prince Siegfried to help you.”  Then said King Gunther to Siegfried, “Will you help me to win this Brunhild for my wife?  Do this, and ask of me what you will.”  Siegfried made answer, “Give me your sister:  I ask no other reward but that I may have the fair Kriemhild to wife.”  “That I promise,” said the King.  “Of a surety, so soon as I shall have brought the fair Brunhild to this realm, then will I give you my sister to wife; and I pray from my heart that you may live long and happily together.”  Then the two sware to each other.

“Tell me now,” said Gunther, “how shall we travel to this land where Brunhild dwells?  Shall we go in such state as befits a King?  If you think fit, I could well bring together thirty thousand warriors.”  “Thirty thousand would avail nothing.” answered Siegfried, “so strong she is and savage.  We will take no army, but go as simple knights, taking two companions with us, and the two shall be Sir Hagen and Sir Dankwart.”  “And wherewithal shall we be clothed?” said King Gunther.  “As richly as maybe,” answered Siegfried.  “My mother has a great store of goodly raiment,” said the King.  Then spake Hagen, “Nay, sire, go not to the Queen, but rather to your sister.  She will provide all things that you need.”

So they went to the Lady Kriemhild and told her all their purpose, and how they should need goodly raiment, three changes for the day, and that for four days.  With good will did the fair Kriemhild receive them, and promised that she would give them what they needed.  As she promised, so she did; for she and her ladies, thirty maids skilful in the work of the needle, laboured night and day to furnish a rich store of apparel.  The fair Kriemhild planned them and cut them to just measure with her own hand and her ladies sewed them.  Silks there were, some from Arabia, white as snow, and from the Lesser Asia others, green as grass, and strange skins of fishes from distant seas, and fur of the ermine, with black spots on snowy white, and precious stones and gold of Arabia.  In seven weeks all was prepared, both apparel and also arms and armour; and there was nothing that was either over-long or over-short, or that could be surpassed for comeliness.  Great thanks did the warriors give to each fair seamstress, and to Kriemhild the beautiful the greatest thanks of all.

So the four companions embarked on their ship, with Siegfried for their helmsman, for he knew all the tides and currents of Rhine.  Well furnished were they with food and wine and all things that they needed; and prosperous was their voyage, both while they sailed down the river and while they crossed the sea.