their horses got home, King Etzel
had never heard such welcome tidings. The king bade give the envoys so
much for their message that they could live merrily ever after, till
their death. For love had chased away the king's trouble and his dole.

Twenty-First Adventure

How Kriemhild Journeyed to the Huns

Let the envoys ride, and list rather while we tell you how the queen
journeyed through the land, and where Giselher and Gernot parted from
her. They had served her well as honour bade them. They rode as far as
the Danube at Bergen; then they took their leave, that they might return
to the Rhine. Among friends so good, this could not be done without
weeping.

Bold Giselher said to his sister, "If thou hast need of me at any time,
sister, or standest in any peril, let me know it, and I will ride to thy
succour into Etzel's land."

She kissed all her kinsmen on the mouth, and on friendly wise the bold
Burgundians took leave of Rudeger's men. With the queen went many fair
maidens, an hundred and four, richly clad in gay and costly stuffs; and
they that followed Kriemhild bare broad shields enow. Then Folker, the
goodly knight, turned back also.

When they were come over the Danube into Bavaria, the news was noised
abroad that unknown guests were advancing. Where a cloister still
standeth, and the Inn floweth into the Danube, a bishop dwelled in the
town of Passau. The houses were emptied of the folk, and also the
prince's palace, and they hasted to meet the strangers in Bavaria, where
Bishop Pilgerin found fair Kriemhild.

The knights of the country were not sorry when they saw so many beautiful
maidens following her, and they wooed the heroes' daughters with their
eyes. Good lodging was given to the strangers, and they rested at
Pledelingen. The folk rode from all quarters toward them, and they got
freely all they needed. Both there and elsewhere they took it, nor lost
honour thereby.

The bishop rode with his niece to Passau. When the burghers of the town
got word that Kriemhild, the child of their prince's sister, came
thither, she was received with great worship by the merchants.

The bishop thought she would tarry there, but Eckewart said, "It cannot
be, for we must down into Rudeger's land. Many knights await us that
know of our coming."

Fair Gotelind also had heard the news. She and her high-born child made
them ready in haste, for Rudeger had bidden her cheer the queen by riding
to