ws came to Gunther's court that war was
declared against him. But this was merely a plot to draw Siegfried from
the court and compass his death. The heroes armed for war, among
them Siegfried. When Hagen bade farewell to Kriemhild she recommended
Siegfried to his care. Now, when Siegfried slew the dragon which guarded
the treasure of the Nibelungs, he bathed in its blood and became, like
Achilles, invulnerable, save at a spot where a linden leaf had fallen
between his shoulders as he bathed, and so prevented contact with the
potent stream. Hagen inquired of Kriemhild the whereabouts of this
vulnerable spot, pretending that he would guard Siegfried against
treachery in battle; and she, fully believing in his good faith, sewed a
silken cross upon Siegfried's mantle to mark the place.

On the following morning Siegfried, with a thousand knights, took horse
and rode away, thinking to avenge his comrades. Hagen rode beside him
and carefully scanned his vesture. He did not fail to observe the mark,
and having done so, he dispatched two of his men with another message.
It was to the effect that the King might know that now his land would
remain at peace. This Siegfried was loath to hear, for he would have
done battle for his friends, and it was with difficulty that Gunther's
vassals could hold him back. Then he rode to Gunther, who thanked him
warmly for having so quickly granted his prayer. Gunther assured him
that if need be he would at any time come to his aid, and that he held
him the most trusty of all his friends. He pretended to be so glad
that the threat of war was past that he suggested that they should ride
hunting to the Odenwald after the bear and the boar, as they had so
often done before. This was the counsel of the false Hagen.

It was arranged that they should start early for the greenwood, and
Gunther promised to lend Siegfried several dogs that knew the forest
ways well. Siegfried then hurried home to his wife, and when he had
departed Hagen and the King took counsel together. After they had
agreed upon the manner in which they would compass the destruction of
Siegfried, they communicated their plans to their comrades. Giselher and
Gernot would not take part in the hunt, but nevertheless they abstained
from warning Siegfried of his danger. For this, however, they paid
dearly in the end.

The morning dawned bright and clear, and away the warriors cantered with
a clatter of hoofs and a boasting of bugles.