duced forgetfulness of the
war-maiden, so that he accepted the hand of Gudrun which Giuki offered
him. The marriage was celebrated with great splendour, and Sigurd
remained at Giuki's court, much acclaimed for his deeds of skill and
valour.

Grimhild meanwhile urged upon her son Gunnar to sue for the hand of
Brunhild. He resolved to accept her advice and set out to visit her,
taking with him Sigurd and a few other friends. He first visited
Brunhild's father Budli, and afterward her brother-in-law Heimir, from
whom he heard that Brunhild was free to choose the man she desired, but
that she would espouse no one who had not ridden through the hedge of
flame. They proceeded to Brunhild's castle. Gunnar attempted to pierce
the flames, but was unable to do so even when seated on Sigurd's horse,
for Grani would not stir, knowing well that it was not his master who
urged him on. At last they made use of a potion that had been given them
by Grimhild, and Sigurd, in the shape of Gunnar, rode through the wall
of fire. He explained to the war-maiden that he was the son of Giuki and
had come to claim her hand. The destiny laid upon her by Woden compelled
her to consent, but she did so with much reluctance. Sigurd then passed
three nights at her side, placing his sword Gram between them as a bar
of separation; but at parting he drew from her finger the ring with
which he had originally plighted his troth to her, and replaced it with
another taken from Fafnir's hoard. Shortly afterward the wedding of
Gunnar and Brunhild was celebrated with lavish splendour, and they all
returned to Giuki's court.

Matters progressed happily for some time, until one day Brunhild and
Gudrun went to bathe in the river. Brunhild refused to bathe farther
down the stream than Gudrun--that is, in the water which flowed from
Gudrun to her--asserting that her husband was the son of a king, while
Sigurd had become a menial. Gudrun retorted to her sister-in-law that
not Gunnar, but Sigurd had penetrated the hedge of fire and had taken
from her the ring, which she then showed to Brunhild in proof of her
words. A second and even more disturbing conversation followed, which
served only to increase the hatred between the women, and Brunhild
planned a dreadful vengeance. She feigned illness, retired to her bed,
and when Gunnar inquired what ailed her, asked him if he recalled the
circumstances of their wooing, and how Sigurd, and not he, rode through
the flames to