Nibelungenlied

Four days later, the fake envoys arrive and claim that Liudeger and Liudegast declared war on Burgundy again, “a lie from which ladies were to reap the greatest sorrow” (119). Gunther attempts to call off the plot, but Hagen persists in carrying it out. Upon hearing the envoys’ message, Siegfried volunteers to aid the Burgundians and asks his father to stay behind in Worms.

Hagen converses with Kriemhild, who states that her husband “must not be made to pay for any wrong that [she] may have done to Brunhild” (120); she also reveals that Siegfried beat her after she chastised the other queen. Hagen takes advantage of Kriemhild’s fear for her husband and says, “If you have any apprehension that a weapon might wound him tell me by what means I can prevent it, and I shall always guard him, riding or walking” (120). Kriemhild tells him that a linden leaf fell between Siegfried’s shoulder blades when he bathed in dragon’s blood, rendering the spot vulnerable. Hagen asks her to sew a mark on Siegfried’s clothing to point out the spot.

The next morning, Siegfried and his men ride out only to be told that the war will not commence.