'Be welcome, my Lord Siegfried,' she cried, 'thou worthy knight, be welcome. But where is my brother? Has he been vanquished by the warrior Queen? Oh, woe is me if he is lost, woe is me that ever I was born,' and the tears rolled down the maiden's cheeks. 'Nay, now,' said the Prince, 'thy brother is well and of good cheer. I have come, a herald of glad tidings. For even now the King is on his way to Worms, bringing with him his hard-won bride.' Then the Princess dried her tears, and graciously did she bid the hero to sit by her side. 'I would I might give thee a reward for thy services,' said the gentle maiden, 'but too rich art thou to receive my gold.' 'A gift from thy hands would gladden my heart,' said the gallant Prince. Blithely then did Kriemhild send for four-and-twenty buckles, all inlaid with precious stones, and these did she give to Siegfried. Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild, for well did he love the gracious giver, yet would he not keep for himself her gifts, but gave them, in his courtesy, to her four-and-twenty maidens. Then the Prince told Queen Ute that the King begged her and the Princess to ride forth from Worms to greet his bride, and to prepare to hold high festival in the royal city. [Illustration: Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild] 'It shall be done even as the King desires,' said the Queen, while Kriemhild sat silent, smiling with gladness, because her knight Sir Siegfried had come home. CHAPTER XII THE WEDDING FEAST In joy and merriment the days flew by, while the court at Worms prepared to hold high festival in honour of King Gunther's matchless bride. As the royal ships drew near Queen Ute and the Princess Kriemhild, accompanied by many a gallant knight, rode along the banks of the Rhine to greet Queen Brunhild. Already the King had disembarked, and was leading his bride toward his gracious mother. Courteously did Queen Ute welcome the stranger, while Kriemhild kissed her and clasped her in her arms. Some as they gazed upon the lovely maidens said that the warlike Queen Brunhild was more beautiful than the gentle Princess Kriemhild, but others, and these were the wiser, said that none could excel the peerless sister of the King. In the great plain of Worms silk tents and gay pavilions had been placed. And there the ladies took shelter from the heat, while before them knights and warriors held a gay tournament. Then in the cool of the evening, a gallant train of lords and ladies, they rode toward the castle at Worms. Queen Ute and her daughter went to their own apartments, while the King with Brunhild went into the banqueting hall where the wedding feast was spread. But ere the feast had begun, Siegfried came and stood before the King. 'Sire,' he said, 'hast thou forgotten thy promise, that when Brunhild entered the royal city thy lady sister should be my bride?' 'Nay,' cried the King, 'my royal word do I ever keep,' and going out into the hall he sent for the Princess.