The envoys hasted on their way, and when bold Gary was come into Burgundy, they greeted him fair. The riders sprang from their horses before Gunther’s hall. And young and old, as their wont is, pressed round them and asked for news. But the good knight answered, “Ye shall have it when I have told it to the king.” And he passed on with his comrades to Gunther. The king sprang from his seat for joy, and Brunhild thanked them that they were so soon back again. To the envoys spake Gunther then, “How fareth it with Siegfried, that hath ever done well by me?” And Gary answered, “He and thy sister waxed red for joy. Kinder greeting sent man never to his friends than Siegfried and his father Siegmund send to thee.” Then said the queen to the Margrave, “Tell me, I prithee; cometh Kriemhild with them? And hath her body lost nothing of its fairness?” Whereto Gary answered, “They will both come, and, with them, many knights.” Then Uta bade the envoys to her presence, and showed by her questions what most she desired to know—how it fared with Kriemhild. He told her how he had found her, and that she would come thither shortly. They declared also the envoy’s fee that Siegfried had given them: the apparel and the gold. All the knights of the three kings saw it, and praised Siegfried. “It is easy for him to give,” quoth Hagen. “He could not spend it if he lived for ever, for the hoard of the Nibelungs is in his hand. Would it came our way!” All the court, both knights and ladies, were glad at their coming. The servants of the three kings were not idle, and started to raise the high-seats. Hunolt and Sindolt had work enow, for they were the sewer and the butler, and they arranged the chairs; to Ortwin, for that he helped them, Gunther gave thanks. As for Rumult, the chief cook, I ween he knew how to order his underlings. Ha! what meats they made ready against the feast, in their huge cauldrons and pots and pans. The women too busied them, and saw to their robes, whereon they embroidered gold and bright shining stones, that, when they wore them, they might be well esteemed. Thirteenth Adventure How They Rode to the Hightide Leave we all this work now, to tell how Kriemhild and her maidens journeyed from the Nibelung land to the Rhine. Never sumpters bare such rich apparel. They sent many travelling chests on before them, and Siegfried and the queen rode with their friends and dreamed on joy—that was to end in deep sorrow. As needs was, they left their son at home. Also for him was the journey woeful: his father and his mother he saw nevermore. Siegmund, the king, rode with them, that had, certes, not been there, had he known what was to betide them. Never sorrow was worse than his for dear ones.