zone of fire, makes his way into it and beholds there, as he deems it, a
man in full armor asleep. When he takes off the helmet he finds that it
is a woman. With his sword he cuts loose the armor. The woman wakes and
asks if it be the hero Sigurd who has awakened her. In joy that it is so,
Brynhild relates to him how Odin had punished her by this magic sleep for
disobedience, and how that she had yet obtained from him the promise that
she should be wakened only by a hero who knew no fear. She now teaches
Sigurd many wise runes, and tells him of harm to fear through love of
her. In spite of all, however, Sigurd does not waver, and they swear an
oath of mutual faithful love.

Next Sigurd comes to King Gjuki at the Rhine, and joins in friendship
with him and his sons Gunnar and Hogni. Queen Grimhild gives Sigurd a
potion which causes him to forget Brynhild and be filled with love for
her own daughter Gudrun, whom he marries. Gunnar now seeks Brynhild for
wife, and Sigurd goes with him on his wooing-journey. They come to the
castle encircled by fire, where Brynhild lives. She will be wooed only by
him who will ride to her through the flames. Gunnar tries in vain to do
this, even when mounted on Sigurd's steed Grani. Sigurd and Gunnar then
exchange shapes and the former spurs Grani through the flames. He calls
himself Gunnar the son of Gjuki, and finally Brynhild consents to become
his wife. Three nights he shares her couch, but always his sharp sword
lies between them. He takes the ring from her finger and places in its
stead one from Fafnir's treasure. Then he exchanges form again with
Gunnar, who is soon after wedded to Brynhild. Only now does Sigurd
recollect the oath that he once swore to Brynhild himself.

One day Brynhild and Gudrun are bathing in the Rhine. A quarrel arises
between them when Brynhild takes precedence of Gudrun by going into the
water above her in the stream, saying that her husband is a braver and