On the twelfth morning they came to the land of Queen Brunhild.  And when King Gunther saw how the coast stretched far away, and how on every height there stood a fair castle, he said to Siegfried, “Tell me, Siegfried, if you can, whose are those castles, and this fair land.  Never in all my life, I assure you, have I seen castles so fairly planned and built so well.”  Siegfried made answer, “These castles and this fair land are Queen Brunhild’s and this strong fortress that you see is Isenstein.  And now, my comrades, I have a counsel for your ears.  To-day we shall stand in Queen Brunhild’s court, and we must be wise and wary when we stand before her.  Let therefore one and the same story be found in the mouth of all—­that Gunther is my master, and that I am Gunther’s man.  If we would win our purpose there is no surer plan than this.”  So spake Siegfried to his comrades.  And to the King he said, “Mark, I pray you, what I do for the love of your fair sister.”

While they talked one to the other the bark drifted so near to the shore that they could see the maidens standing at the castle windows.  “Who are these?” said King Gunther to Siegfried.  Said Siegfried, “Look with all your eyes at these fair ladies, and tell me which of them pleases you best, and which, could you win her, you would choose for your wife.”  Gunther made answer, “One that I see at yonder window in a snow-white vest is surely the loveliest of all.  She, if I can win her, shall surely be my wife.”  “You have chosen well,” said Siegfried; “that maiden in the snow-white vest is Brunhild, the fairest and fiercest of women.”

Meanwhile the Queen had bidden her maidens depart from the windows.  “’Tis a shame,” said she, “that you should make yourselves a sight for strangers.”

And now came the four comrades from their bark to the castle.  Siegfried led a noble charger by the bridle, and stood by the stirrup till King Gunther had mounted, serving him as a vassal serves his lord.  This Brunhild marked from where she stood.  “A noble lord,” thought she in her heart, “whom such a vassal serves.”  Then Siegfried mounted his own steed, and Hagen and Dankwart did the like.  A fairer company never was seen.  The King and Siegfried were clothed in white, and white were their horses, and their shields flashed far as they moved.  So, in lordly fashion, they rode to the hall of Queen Brunhild, and the bells of gold that hung from their saddles tinkled as they went.  Hagen and Dankwart, on the other hand, wore black apparel, and their chargers were black.

Meanwhile the fair Brunhild inquired of her nobles who these strangers might be that had come across the sea, and on what errand they had come.  One of them answered, “Fair lady, I have never seen these stout warriors, save one only, who is greatly like to the noble Siegfried.  If this be he, I would have you give him a hearty welcome.  Next to him is a man of right royal mien, a King, I trow, who rules with his sceptre mighty lands and herd.  The third has a lowering brow, but is a stout warrior withal; the fourth is young and modest of look, but for all his gentle bearing, we should all rue it, I trow, if wrong were done to him.”