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Rh be very welcome to us. An’ ye would ride more often hither to the Rhine, ye would find friends here whom ye would be glad to see. Little of harm shall hap you in this land.”

“We trust you in all honor,“ spake then Swemmel. “I could not convey to you with all my wits, how lovingly king Etzel and your noble sister, who live in such great worship, have sent their greetings. The queen doth mind you of your love and fealty, and that your heart and mind did ever hold her dear. But first and foremost we be sent to the king, that ye may deign to ride to Etzel’s land. The mighty Etzel enjoined us strictly to beg you this and sent the message to you all, that if ye would not let your sister see you, he fain would know what he had done you that ye be so strange to him and to his lands. An’ ye had never known the queen, yet would he fain bring it to pass that consent to come and see him. It would please him well if that might hap.”

Then spake King Gunther: “In a sennight I will tell you the tale of what I have bethought me with my friends. Meanwhile hie you to your lodgings and rest you well.”

Quoth Werbel again: “And could that be that we might see my lady, the royal Uta, afore we take our easement?”

The noble Giselher spake then full courteously: “None shall hinder that. An’ ye would go before her, ye will do in full my mother’s wish, for she will gladly see you for my sister’s sake, the Lady Kriemhild; she will make you welcome.”

Giselher led them to where they found the queen.