Mounting her winged horse, Waltraute rose among the clouds whose bright effulgence was watched sadly by Bruennhilde, till with the last sight of the Valkyrie, the evening closed in and the fire which guarded the beautiful maid began to be reflected again from below. Soon the flames seemed to leap with anger, and Bruennhilde watched the strange sight with anxiety. Suddenly she heard a call. It was Siegfried's. She ran to the edge of the cliff to look below, and almost instantly he appeared, rushing to her through the flames which immediately grew dull. The knight wore the Tarnhelm, but it hid only the half of his face, and his eyes were visible. His form was strange to Bruennhilde because he had changed into the image of Gunther, and when she looked at the unknown figure she shrieked. Then she whispered: "Who cometh?" At first Siegfried stood motionless, leaning upon his spear. Then he said in a strange voice: "I am a Gibichung come to wed thee." This made Bruennhilde frantic with terror, and to protect herself she stretched out the hand which wore the ring. "Go back," she cried, but Siegfried in the guise of Gunther tore the ring from her, and after that she had no more strength to fly from him, so seizing her he carried her away to the hall of the Gibichungs. ACT II Back at the home of the Gibichungs sat Hagen, awaiting the return of Gunther and Siegfried. Altars to Fricka, Donner, and Wotan were raised upon the Rhein, ready for sacrifices to be offered, when Gunther should return with Bruennhilde for his bride. Toward evening, Hagen sat just inside the entrance hall asleep and leaning upon his spear, his shield beside him. When the bright moon rose above the river, Alberich could be seen crouching at Hagen's knees, whispering evil dreams to him. "Thou art my son," he said, "and must win back the Rheingold for the Nibelungen"; and in his dreams, Hagen promised to follow the counsel. Then the moon's light was hidden, and in the darkness Alberich disappeared. When he had gone, the dawn broke. Hagen woke and looked out upon the peacefully flowing Rhein. _Scene II_ As the Rhein grew redder and redder in the morning light, Hagen heard Siegfried's call and, all at once, the knight's head rose above the river's bank. He still wore the Tarnhelm upon his head, but appeared in his own shape. "Waken and greet me, Hagen!" he cried gaily. "Where are Bruennhilde and Gunther?" Hagen called, going to meet Siegfried. "They follow, more slowly, in the boat. When I called to thee just now, I was miles away--at Bruennhilde's rock; but with the Tarnhelm upon my head, I arrived before thou couldst answer. Where is the beautiful Gutrune?" "She will come at once to hear thy tale and to greet thee." Hagen called to her, and she appeared to learn of Bruennhilde's coming with her brother. She looked shyly at Siegfried.