well is me, dear lady, that I have ever seen with mine own
eyes your charming self in these our lands. Naught liefer might hap to
me in all these times."

"Now God requite you," quoth Kriemhild, "most noble Gotelind. Shall I
and Botelung's (7) son remain alive and well, it may be lief to you that
ye have seen me here."

Neither knew what must needs later hap. Many maidens went to meet each
other in courtly wise. The warriors, too, were full ready with their
service. After the greeting they sat them down upon the clover. With
many they became acquaint, who were full strange to them aforetime. As
it was now high noon, men bade pour out wine for the ladies. The
noble meiny no longer tarried, but rode to where they found many broad
pavilions; there ample service stood ready for the guests.

That night they had repose till early on the morn. Those from Bechelaren
made ready for to lodge the worthy guests. So well had Rudeger planned,
that little enow they lacked. The embrasures in the walls stood open,
the castle at Bechelaren was opened wide. In rode the guests whom men
were fain to see; the noble host bade purvey them proper easement. Most
lovingly Rudeger's daughter with her meiny went to welcome the queen.
There, too, stood her mother, the margrave's wife; many a high-born maid
was greeted with delight. They took each other by the hand and hied
them hence to a broad hall, fashioned full fair, under which the Danube
flowed along. Towards the breeze they sate and held great pastime. What
more they did I cannot tell, save that Kriemhild's men-at-arms were
heard to grumble that they fared so slowly on their way, for much it
irked them. Ho, what good knights rode with them hence from Bechelaren!

Rudeger offered them much loving service. The queen gave Gotelind's
daughter twelve ruddy armlets, and raiment too, as good as any that she
brought to Etzel's land. Although the Nibelung gold was taken from her,
yet she did win the hearts of all that saw her with the little she still
might have. Great gifts were given to the courtiers of the host. In
turn the Lady Gotelind offered the guests from the Rhine worship in such
friendly wise, that men found passing few of the strangers that did not
wear her jewels or her lordly robes.

When they had eaten and should depart, faithful service was proffered by
the lady of the house to Etzel's bride. The fair young margravine, too,
was much caressed. To the queen she spake: "Whenso it thin