Then the queen said, “To whom shall I leave my kingdom? Thy hand and mine must establish that or we depart.” The king answered, “Call forth whom thou wilt, and he shall be regent.” The lady saw her nearest of kin standing night her—her mother’s brother—and to him she said, “Take my castles and land in charge, till that King Gunther’s own hand holdeth rule here.” She chose from among her knights two thousand men to follow her to the Rhine, and the thousand Nibelung warriors. Then she made ready for the journey, and rode down to the shore. She took with her six and eighty women, and an hundred fair damsels, and they tarried not longer, but set out. They that were left behind wept sore! Graciously and sweetly the lady quitted her land. She kissed her nearest of kin that stood round. With loving farewells they reached the sea. To the land of her fathers the maiden returned nevermore. Many hands made music during the voyage, and they had all manner of pastime, and a favouring wind. And so they sailed away; and many a mother’s son wept for it. Brunhild wedded not the king on the voyage, but waited for a hightide that was to be held in the castle of Worms; and thither they speeded merrily with their knights. Ninth Adventure How Siegfried Was Sent to Worms When they had journeyed full nine days, Hagen of Trony said, “Hearken to my word. We have delayed too long to send the news to Worms on the Rhine. The envoys should have been in Burgundy or now.” King Gunther answered, “Thou sayest sooth. And none were better for this business than thyself, friend Hagen. Ride now into my land, for thou art the fittest to tell of our coming.” “Nay, certes, dear master, I am but a bad envoy. Let me stay here at sea and act the chamberlain. I will look to the women’s wardrobe, till we bring them to Burgundy. Bid Siegfried rather carry the message; by reason of his great strength he will bear it through well. If he deny thee, urge him with friendly words, that he do it for thy sister’s sake.” So Gunther sent for the knight, who came when they had found him. And the king said, “We are well nigh home in my land. It is time I sent a messenger to tell my dear sister and my mother that we draw near. Undertake thou the journey, and I will owe thee much thank.” But Siegfried would not do it till that Gunther had begged him and said, “Ride not for my sake only, but for fair Kriemhild’s, that the royal maiden requite it, even as I.” And when Siegfried heard that, he yielded. “Command what thou wilt, I will not gainsay it. I will do it for the sake of my beautiful lady. How should I deny aught to her that I bear in my heart? Because of her, I will perform all that thou askest.”